Neonatal jaundice describes a condition in which a newborn skin appears yellow within the first few days of life. The yellowish appearance is a sign of an increased blood pigment called Bilirubin, which then settles in the skin. In many cases this is a normal process and occurs in about 2/3 of all healthy newborns
CAUSES OF NEONATAL JAUNDICE
- Physiologic Cause which is evident on the second to third day of life , usually harmless and caused by the newborn’s immature liver inability to excrete bilirubin
- Maternal-fetal group incompatibility which occurs when there is an incompatibility between the blood type of the mother and the newborn
- Insufficient or no breastfeeding of the newborn
- Prematurity and Maternal diabetes can also be a cause of neonatal jaundice
Warning signs and symptoms of Jaundice are: Vomiting, lethargy, not feeding well, fever, high pitched cry, dark urine or light stools.
Phototherapy could be used for treatments and on extreme cases blood transfusion is done.
Recommendations:
To prevent Jaundice, it is advisable that new born should be breastfed at least 8-12 times daily. Newborns should also be monitored at least 8 to 12 hours daily.
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American college of gastroenterology
