How to Identify and Manage Jaundice in Newborn Babies

Jaundice is a common condition that affects most newborns after birth. In this condition, the baby's skin and eyes turn yellow within a few days. It occurs due to high levels of bilirubin, which is a yellow pigment produced due to breakdown of red blood cells. In older children and adults, the liver processes bilirubin and removes it through the intestines. However, since a newborn's liver is still developing, it is unable to eliminate bilirubin effectively, leading to jaundice.

In most cases, jaundice in babies resolves on its own. Nearly half of newborns experience mild jaundice in the first few days after birth. Premature babies are more likely to develop jaundice . If bilirubin levels become too high, it can lead to severe complications like brain damage, cerebral palsy, and hearing loss.

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The main symptom of jaundice in a newborn is that his skin and eyes turn yellow. These symptoms usually appear on the second to fourth day of birth. To check jaundice in a baby, gently press your baby's forehead or nose. If the skin turns yellow at the pressed place, it may possibly be a sign of mild jaundice in the baby. If the baby does not have jaundice, then his skin color from the pressed place becomes slightly lighter than the normal color. Some other symptoms of jaundice are explained in detail below.

• Feeling lethargic. 
• Not drinking mother's milk.
• Yellow urine. 
• Yellow stool. 

Serious symptoms of jaundice in babies

• Irritability.
• No weight gain. 
• Yellowing of the stomach 

When To Take The Baby To The Doctor For Jaundice

• If baby's skin on the stomach, arms or legs starts to turn yellow.
• If baby's eyes turns yellow. 
• Your baby starts to look sick and is having difficulty waking up from sleep.
• The baby is not gaining weight or is not eating properly.
• Your baby starts crying more than usual. 
• If jaundice does not get cured for more than three weeks.
• The baby has a fever of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 

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Excess of bilirubin is the main cause of jaundice in infants. Bilirubin is a normal liquid which is formed by the breakdown of red blood cells. Normally, the liver filters bilirubin from the blood and sends it to the intestines. But in the baby , liver is unable to filter bilirubin, and due to this its level increases in the body of the baby. It is normal for a baby to have jaundice even with breastfeeding. In breastfeed babies, this can happen in two ways.

• Jaundice with breastfeeding – In the initial weeks of birth, due to not drinking mother's milk properly or due to less milk coming from the mother's breasts, the baby may also get jaundice. 

• Jaundice due to mother's milk – If the mother's milk contains elements that hinder the process of reducing bilirubin, then this can also cause jaundice in the baby. This jaundice starts one week after birth and reaches its peak within two to three weeks.

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Other causes of jaundice in babies

Babies can also get jaundice due to disorders. In such cases, jaundice starts soon and lasts longer than physiological jaundice. Babies can also get jaundice due to the following diseases and conditions.

• Liver not functioning properly.
• Internal bleeding.
• Bacterial and viral infections.
• Blood infection.
• Lack of enzymes. 
• The mother's blood may not be compatible with the baby's blood.

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Jaundice in newborns occurs due to an increased level of bilirubin in the blood. It is normal for babies to have high bilirubin levels due to the stress of birth. Generally, within the first 24 hours of birth, a baby's bilirubin level remains around 5.2 mg per deciliter. However, in some cases, jaundice can develop within a few days when bilirubin levels reach 5 mg per deciliter.

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Mild jaundice in babies usually does not require treatment as it resolves on its own within two weeks. However, in severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary. Mild jaundice can often be managed at home with proper care. Below are the treatment methods for jaundice in newborns:

1. Phototherapy or Light Therapy - In this treatment, the baby is placed under special light rays that help break down bilirubin. The baby is kept inside a protective covering to shield against harmful ultraviolet rays. This process alters the bilirubin structure, making it easier for the body to eliminate.

2. Intravenous Immunoglobulin Transfusion (IVIg) - Jaundice can sometimes occur due to an incompatibility between the mother's and baby's blood types. In this case, the baby absorbs antibodies from the mother, which break down blood cells. IVIg transfusion helps reduce jaundice and minimizes the need for blood replacement.

3. Blood Replacement - If phototherapy does not work, blood replacement is performed, where the baby's blood is replaced with donor blood multiple times. This procedure is done in the ICU under medical supervision.

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Preventing jaundice starts during pregnancy itself. Blood tests during pregnancy help detect any possible blood incompatibility between the mother and baby, which is a major cause of jaundice. After birth, a baby's blood test can help monitor bilirubin levels. If jaundice is detected, take the following precautions to prevent it from worsening:

• Breastfeeding
• Monitor some Issues like weight loss, signs of dehydration, consult a doctor for breast milk supplements. In some cases, formula milk may be recommended.
• Observe Symptoms: Carefully monitor the baby for five days after birth for signs of jaundice. If any symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately.

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Jaundice occurs in a newborn baby when bilirubin increases in his body. When the red blood cells in the body start breaking down, then normally they are removed from the body by the liver. But the liver of newborn babies is not fully developed, due to which bilirubin is not able to get out of the liver. As a result, the baby's skin and the white part of the eyes start appearing yellow.