Jaundice In Infants: Symptoms And Treatment
Jaundice in infants is a condition characterized by a change in the color of the skin and the tendon (the white of the eye), which begins to turn a yellowish color. It comes if there is an excess of bilirubin in the blood.
Bilirubin is a yellow pigment, which is a natural waste product from the red blood cells. This substance is normally passed through the liver and released into the intestines as bile.
Although jaundice is not considered a disease, it should be a warning that it may indicate a disease that has not yet been detected. For the most part, it is temporary and harmless and quite easy to get rid of again.
Why Do Infants Get Jaundice? How can you detect it?
As parents, it is important to get the answers to these questions. Today we will take a closer look at the causes, symptoms and treatments for jaundice in infants.
Causes of jaundice in infants
It is quite common for babies to have a high level of bilirubin after birth. In fact, most newborns have a yellowish color in their skin. This condition occurs in 80% of all premature babies and in 60% of those born prematurely.
However, it is not always visible and may disappear again on its own after a few weeks.
The main cause is a liver that is not yet ready to handle the process of bilirubin well enough. It is also sometimes seen that newborns produce more bilirubin than normal because they renew their blood cells more often.
Other possible causes can be:
- That there has been jaundice in the family in the past.
- It does not get breast milk.
- Internal bleeding.
- An infection in the blood (blood poisoning)
- Infections with viruses or bacteria.
- Incompatibility between mother’s and baby’s blood.
- Liver failure.
- Abnormal red blood cells.
Symptoms of jaundice in infants
The main sign of jaundice in infants is a yellowish color on their skin and in the whites of their eyes.
This typically becomes more visible between the second and fourth day after birth. The color change can begin on the face and spread to the abdomen, legs and soles of the feet.
If the condition is severe, it can also be followed by:
- Lack of appetite
- Abnormally low weight
- Pervasive crying
- Seems tired
Diagnosis
A doctor can diagnose jaundice by looking at the child. However, other tests are needed to measure the level of bilirubin in the blood.
Therefore, in addition to caring for the child, the doctor will often suggest:
- A laboratory test of a blood sample (complete blood count)
- An analysis using a device to measure bilirubin
- Perform a Coombs test
- Counting of reticulocytes
Treatment of jaundice in infants
Jaundice in infants typically disappears on its own after one to three weeks without further treatment. However, if it is moderate to severe, the child should be hospitalized for a few days.
What the treatment looks like depends on the level of bilirubin in the blood, the age of the baby and whether it was born prematurely or not. An infant needs treatment if the level of bilirubin is very high or rising rapidly.
The treatment may include:
Phototherapy
For this treatment, the child is exposed to a special lamp, which provides light in a blue-green spectrum. This light helps to break down the blirirubin molecules so that they can be excreted through the urine. It is not ultraviolet light and it has a plastic protection that acts as a filter.
During this treatment, the baby will only wear his diaper and protection over his eyes. In some places a mat is also used, which collects the light.
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)
If there is an incompatibility between the mother’s and the baby’s blood types, an intravenous transfusion of immunoglobulin may be used. This procedure will remove the jaundice and the need for a blood transfusion.
Blood transfusion
In rare cases, there is no response to other treatments, which is why you must give the baby a blood transfusion.
This involves discharging small amounts of the bilirubin-filled blood and supplying the mother’s antibodies with the blood. The blood is then returned to the baby.
Eating habits
If the jaundice is not so severe, a doctor will recommend some simple changes in the child’s eating habits. Some mothers need support if they are breastfeeding the baby.
The following tips can help reduce jaundice:
- You breastfeed a little more often, so that there is more time in the baby’s stomach.
- Use supplemental diets, such as a breast milk substitute, if you have trouble breastfeeding. This may be necessary if the newborn loses too much weight or is dehydrated.
- Try using breast milk substitute for a few days, after which you will resume breastfeeding (only if your doctor recommends it).
When to see a doctor?
All infants should be monitored by a doctor for the first few days after birth to determine if they have jaundice. It is important to go to the emergency room if the yellow color is accompanied by fever, lack of appetite or apathy.
Jaundice is not dangerous in infants who are born at term or who do not have other diseases. Therefore, special attention may be needed if your baby is born prematurely.
