Newborn Jaundice: How Long Does Jaundice Stick Around In Newborns

Symptoms Of Jaundice In Newborns

Jaundice is a common condition among newborns and is symptomised by a yellow tinge to the skin as well as to the whites of the eyes. It is caused by an excessive amount of bilirubin in the bloodstream, a substance which in normal circumstances, passes through the liver and leaves the intestines as bile. The child is affected by jaundice when the amount of bilirubin piles up and the liver is unable to break it down at the level that it is being produced. Jaundice occurs in newborns as: 1) they have a higher turnover of red blood cells when compared to adults, 2) the liver of the baby is not developed enough to remove the biuribin from the blood and 3) a tremendously large amount of bilirubin is reabsorbed into the intestines before the child is able to pass it out as stool. If the levels of bilirubin are higher than 25 mg, it could cause problem like deafness, cerebral palsy and in extreme cases, even brain damage. Occasionally, jaundice may be a symptom of some underlying condition such as a thyroid problem or another infection. You will need to consult a doctor immediately if you notice the jaundice within twenty four hours of birth, if the jaundice is getting more intense or spreading, if the child begins to look sick or act sick and if the baby develops a rectal temperature of 100 F.

Jaundice Treatments For Newborn

If the jaundice is mild, then the child is usually capable of taking care of it on own and it should go down in a week or so. If it is extremely severe, the doctor may suggest phototherapy which alters the nature of the bilirubin and makes it easier for the baby’s liver to get rid of it. Frequent breast feeding or supplementing it with formula may help, but this should only be done in consultation with the child’s doctor as this condition can develop from an intake of breast milk itself. If this is the case, you can still pump out your breast milk and resume feeding once the doctor says that it is alright to do so. At home you may expose the baby to a little sunlight, preferably the rays of the early morning sun. Sunlight is capable of breaking down the excess bilirubin in the body. But make sure to not get the child sunburnt and in case it is chilly outside, bundle the baby up as well.