Jaundice is a common ailment among new-born babies. Women’s Editor, TEMITOPE OJO, writes that although experts find it hard to give specific prevention advice in all cases, it is treatable.
Experts say many new-born babies develop jaundice, but the condition can affect people of all ages.
However, babies should be examined for jaundice between the third and seventh day after birth.
Jaundice is caused by a build-up of bilirubin (hyperbilirubinemia) in the blood and body tissue. Bilirubin is a normal part of the pigment released from the breakdown of “used” red blood cells.
Dr. Tomi Bamgboje, a consultant paediatrician, reveals major risk factors for jaundice, particularly severe jaundice that can cause complications, to include:
• Premature birth. Babies born before 38 weeks may not be able to process bilirubin as quickly as full-term babies. Also, they may feed less and have fewer bowel movements, resulting in less bilirubin eliminated through stool.
• Significant bruising during birth. If your new-born gets bruises from the delivery, (s)he may have a higher level of bilirubin from the breakdown of more red blood cells.
• Blood type. If the mother’s blood type is different from her baby’s, the baby may have received antibodies through the placenta that cause his or her blood cells to break down more quickly.
• Breast-feeding. Breast-fed babies, particularly those who have difficulty nursing or getting enough nutrition from breast-feeding, are at higher risk of jaundice. Dehydration or a low calorie intake may contribute to the onset of jaundice. However, because of the benefits of breast-feeding, experts still recommend it. It’s important to make sure your baby gets enough to eat and is adequately hydrated.
“The yellowing of skin and eyes are likely to be the main clues a doctor will use before confirming a jaundice diagnosis,” says Dr. Bamgboje. She also revealed some other symptoms to include:
• Baby’s skin becomes more yellowish
• Baby’s skin looks yellow on the abdomen, arms or legs
• The whites of the baby’s eyes look yellow
• Baby isn’t gaining weight or is feeding poorly
• Baby makes high-pitched cries
To be certain a baby is jaundiced, laboratory test of a sample of the baby’s blood and a skin test with a device called a transcutaneous bilirubinometer, which measures the reflection of a special light shone through the skin, can also be carried out.
The treatment given to a child with jaundice will depend on what type they have, how serious it is and what caused it.
While mild infant jaundice often disappears on its own within two or three weeks, moderate or severe jaundiced babies may need to stay longer in the new-born nursery or be re-admitted to the hospital.
Treatment options revealed to lower the level of bilirubin in the baby’s blood, according to Bamgboje may include:
• Light therapy (phototherapy). The baby may be placed under special device that emits light in the blue-green spectrum. The light changes the shape and structure of bilirubin molecules in such a way that they can be excreted in the urine and stool. The light isn’t an ultraviolet light, and a protective plastic shield filters out any ultraviolet light that may be emitted.
During treatment, the baby will wear only a diaper and protective eye patches. The light therapy may be supplemented with the use of a light-emitting pad or mattress.
• Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). Jaundice may be related to blood type differences between mother and baby. This condition results in the baby carrying antibodies from the mother that contribute to the breakdown of blood cells in the baby. Intravenous transfusion of an immunoglobulin – a blood protein that can reduce levels of antibodies – may decrease jaundice and lessen the need for an exchange blood transfusion.
• Exchange transfusion. Rarely, when severe jaundice doesn’t respond to other treatments, a baby may need an exchange transfusion of blood.
Jaundice lasts more than three weeks.
When infant jaundice isn’t severe, the doctor may recommend changes in feeding habits that can lower levels of bilirubin. Some lifestyle and home remedies that may also lessen jaundice include:
• More-frequent feedings. Feeding more frequently will provide the baby with more milk and cause more bowel movements, increasing the amount of bilirubin eliminated in the baby’s stool. Breastfed infants should have eight to 12 feedings a day for the first several days of life. Formula-fed infants usually should have about 30 to 60 millilitres of formula every two to three hours for the first week.
• Supplemental feedings. If your baby is having trouble breast-feeding, is losing weight or is dehydrated, your doctor may suggest giving your baby formula or expressed milk to supplement breast-feeding. In some cases, your doctor may recommend using formula alone for a couple of days and then resuming breast-feeding. Ask your doctor what feeding options are right for your baby.
On how to prevent jaundice, Bamgboje said: “It is hard for doctors to give specific prevention advice in all cases. General tips, however, include avoiding hepatitis infection, staying within recommended alcohol limits, maintaining healthy weight and managing cholesterol.”