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Jaundice in New Born |
What is neonatal jaundice :
This is the jaundice in new born. A child may born with jaundice or the jaundice may develop within a few days of birth.
Causes of neonatal jaundice :
There are many causes of this jaundice. One type of jaundice appears within 2nd or 3rd day of birth and usually subsides automatically within two weeks. It is called physiological jaundice. Another type of jaundice starts with severe jaundice or the severity of jaundice increases gradually, it is called pathological jaundice.
The common causes of pathological jaundice are.
Mismatch blood of Rh & ABO type between mother and the neonate (Blood group incompitability) Viral & other infection during pregnancy (intrauterine infection).
Excessive break-down of red blood cells (Congenital Haemolytic Anaemia).
Infection & application of dirty clothes in the umbilicus of the neonate. (umbilical sepsis).
Enzyme deficiency in the liver. (enzyme deficiency).
Defective development of liver & Biliary tree. One of the condition is Biliary Atresia in which the Biliary channel is not properly developed. The bile flow is obstructed leading to jaundice and destruction of liver.
Some advise for you :
@ The cause of the jaundice should be determined.
@ Exposure to the sunlight is needed for physiological jaundice (phototherapy).
@ Exchange transfusion for blood group incompitability.
@ Surgery may be needed for Biliary atresia. The best time is within two months of birth.
@ Don't apply dirty materials, dressings in the umbilicus.
@ Proper antenatal examination of mother's blood for haemolytic disease, mental & physiological impairment.
@ Kernicterus (Bilirubin encephalopathy) may develop in the neonate if the jaundice is severe.
Remember :
Child specialist, specially a neonatologist should be consulted at the earliest possible time.
