Jaundice In Newborns: Causes & Treatment

Wednesday, November 2, 2011, 14:53

Almost 70% of newborn babies get yellowish cast on their skin known as jaundice. Within the 1st week of birth, the newborns suffer from jaundice. It is a temporary condition which can be treated but it is best to prevent it before it becomes serious.

Causes of jaundice in newborn babies:

Increase of bilirubin (yellow bile pigment) in the blood causes jaundice in babies. This bilirubin is carried in the blood and gets deposited in the skin therefore changing the skin colour to yellow. Also the incapability of the immature liver to remove the bilirubin from the blood can cause jaundice in newborn babies. If the bilirubin is not taken out to the stool the intestines can absorb them therefore causing jaundice. Jaundice in babies is can be caused due to premature birth, immature liver or breastfeeding.

Treatment of jaundice in newborn babies:

Phototherapy is one if the method to reduce jaundice in newborns. In this method, the baby is placed under the warm beam of light for a day or two so as to reduce the jaundice. These fluorescent lamps convert the excess bilirubin into lumirubin (water soluble) which can be easily excreted by the baby's body in bile and urine. The eyes of the baby is covered with goggles or shades to protect the eyes from the strong light rays. During the phototheraphy process for the treatment of jaundice in newborn babies, the baby should get plenty of fluid such as breast milk of formulas to increase bowel movements.

Fiber optic blankets (plastic sheet having fiber fiber optic tubing) are also used in many hospitals for the treatment of jaundice in newborn babies. If the bilirubin levels doesn't reduce through phototheraphy, then the baby's blood is exchanged with donated blood.

These are the causes and treatment of jaundice in newborn babies.