Jaundice is a common condition in newborns that causes the skin and eyes to appear yellowish. It occurs due to an excess of bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells.
While jaundice is typically harmless and resolves on its own, it's important to understand how to cope with it and when to seek medical attention.
Normal Jaundice in Newborns
Jaundice is a normal occurrence in many newborns, affecting up to 60% of full-term babies and even more preterm infants. It appears on the 2nd/3rd day, remains moderate (without treatment) and disappears within the first 10 days of life.
After birth, the newborn has to adapt to his independent life. Its body must learn gradually to eat and digest.
The liver also learns from birth to transform bilirubin and eliminate it in stool and urine. The first few days, the liver is not as efficient as the adult's; and even less so if the child is born prematurely or if they eat little in the early days.
Bilirubin accumulates, causing jaundice in newborns.
If the baby eats early - ideally within half an hour of delivery - jaundice may not be avoided, but it will be less severe.
Signs and Symptoms of Jaundice
The high level of bilirubin in the blood leads to yellow discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes, first appearing on the face (white of the eyes and mucous membranes inside the mouth), then the chest, abdomen and sometimes the arms and legs.
Jaundice appears 24 to 48 hours after birth, sometimes a Iittle later. It disappears within two to three weeks.
However, it can be harder to spot in babies with very dark skin. In case of doubt, the midwife or doctor caring for your baby can measure jaundice by taking a 'biliflash' reading.
It's important to note that jaundice can sometimes be accompanied by other symptoms, such as poor feeding, lethargy, or difficulty waking the baby. If you observe these additional signs or have concerns, contact your healthcare provider.
Coping with Jaundice at Home
In most cases, jaundice in newborns does not require treatment and will resolve on its own. However, there are steps you can take at home to support your baby's well-being during this time:
Frequent feeding: Ensure that your baby is feeding well and frequently, as frequent breastfeeding (8 to 10 breastfeeds a day for the first few days so every 2 to 3 hours, considering the digestion rate of breast milk ) or formula feeding (almost every 3 hours) can help to accelerate elimination of bilirubin from the body through stool or urine. In breastfed babies, jaundice can last 1 month.
If you are experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding, seek advice from early childhood professionals (breastfeeding consultants, midwives, etc.)
Monitor your baby's behavior and weight gain.
Putting your child in the sun is unnecessary and dangerous, and is not recommended for treating jaundice.
Follow healthcare provider recommendations: Follow any specific recommendations or instructions provided by your healthcare provider, such as scheduling follow-up appointments or blood tests if necessary. Don't trivialize jaundice. It's important to follow monitoring instructions. If you've been given an appointment to watch bilirubin levels drop, don't miss it.
However, if jaundice is severe, treatment is necessary. If left untreated, the bilirubin in the blood can endanger your baby, as it can be deposited in the newborn's brain.
When to Seek Medical Attention Promptly
While jaundice is usually harmless, there are instances when it may require medical attention. Contact your healthcare provider if:
Jaundice appears within the first 24 hours: Early-onset jaundice (within the first 24 hours of life) may indicate underlying issues and should be evaluated promptly.
Jaundice intensifies or persists: If the yellowing of the skin or eyes intensifies (very yellow or orange), spreads to other areas, or persists beyond two weeks, it's important to consult your healthcare provider.
If your child's behavior changes: if baby has trouble falling asleep or waking up, is irritable, inconsolable, limp or hypertonic (stiff), or has a high-pitched cry, is unusually lethargic
If you notice a decrease in food intake
If weight gain is not good (less than 25 g/day)
If stools are discolored (white, pale or grayish, (5 to 7 on the scale) and/or urine is very dark
Remember, your healthcare provider is the best resource for assessing your baby's jaundice and determining the appropriate course of action.
Are there any means of prevention?
Early diagnosis and treatment of severe jaundice can prevent serious complications.
If you think your child is jaundiced, consult your doctor to find out if baby needs treatment.
First, a skin test (BiliFlash) is performed to assess bilirubin levels.
If the bilirubin level is very high a blood test is required.
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