Subscribe
Neonatal jaundice
Is it useful for newborns with jaundice to take probiotics?
Probiotics are useful for newborn jaundice. After oral administration of probiotics, they help establish a normal gut microbiota in babies and then reduce the enterohepatic circulation of bilirubin, which aids in the treatment of jaundice. Common probiotics, often referred to in layman's terms as live bacteria, include species like Saccharomyces boulardii, Bifidobacterium, or Lactobacillus, among others. These probiotics are available in pharmacies. Generally, for newborns, especially those who are breastfed and do not recover well from jaundice, oral probiotics can have a therapeutic effect on reducing jaundice, so it is suitable for newborn babies to consume certain probiotics.
Is neonatal jaundice seriously high?
Neonatal jaundice is a common phenomenon in the neonatal period, divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. If it is pathological jaundice and there is no active intervention, the continuous increase of jaundice can significantly affect the baby. There might be severe sequelae, such as a significant rise in indirect bilirubin, which could lead to bilirubin encephalopathy, affecting the normal function of his nervous system, leading to abnormalities in hearing or cognitive and motor development delays. In severe cases, it could even lead to the baby's death. If conjugated bilirubin is elevated, there might be abnormalities in liver function. If not promptly treated, there could be liver damage or failure, which in severe cases may also threaten the baby's life. Therefore, it is advisable to seek prompt medical attention and treatment if jaundice levels are high.
Is a newborn jaundice level of 15.8 serious?
Neonatal jaundice of 15.8 is relatively high. Whether this is serious depends primarily on which day after birth the jaundice value of 15.8 appears. If it occurs within the first three days after birth, a jaundice value of 15.8 is considered serious. Furthermore, the earlier it appears, the more severe the child's condition is. For example, if the child shows a jaundice value of 15.8 at 48 hours old, it is less severe compared to it appearing within the first 24 hours after birth. Therefore, once jaundice is observed, it is important to investigate the possible causes, such as hemolytic disease, infection, infant hepatitis, or biliary atresia. Identifying the specific cause allows for targeted treatment of the condition, while also actively treating the jaundice in the child.
Newborn jaundice, how long does it fade?
Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms during the neonatal period. It can be a normal physiological phenomenon, or it may be an external manifestation of certain diseases. Neonatal jaundice is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice does not require intervention, and the baby's general condition is still acceptable. Typically, physiological jaundice in full-term infants appears between two to three days after birth, peaks at four to five days, and subsides around ten days, generally not lasting more than two weeks. In preterm infants, it may last slightly longer, but generally, jaundice does not exceed four weeks. If the progression of jaundice is rapid, severe, or appears early, pathological jaundice might be considered. Pathological jaundice may be due to certain pathological factors causing abnormal jaundice. Depending on the cause of the disease and whether there is timely intervention and treatment for jaundice, the resolution time may also vary.
How should newborns with jaundice sunbathe?
Generally, when we say that the jaundice level is high, doctors might suggest sunbathing when it approaches pathological values, and possibly taking probiotics with live bacteria to help the baby recover from jaundice. Normally, for sunbathing, it is advised not to do it through glass, and to expose the skin directly to the sun, but you should not expose the baby's eyes directly to the sun because the ultraviolet rays are too strong and may damage the eyes. Additionally, when sunbathing, if it is during the cooler seasons like winter, spring, or autumn, it is important to ensure the baby does not catch a cold. If it is summer, avoid sunbathing during times when the sun is too strong, as the baby's delicate skin might get sunburned, potentially causing harm. Therefore, it is generally best to choose conditions when the temperature is mild and the wind is not too strong, then pay attention to keeping warm or avoiding sunburn. Generally, it is not recommended to use sunscreen or shade for sunbathing; direct exposure of the skin is needed. Parents should consider the actual condition of the disease and try to make the baby as comfortable as possible, avoiding colds or sunburn. If sunbathing is not effective, it is advisable to promptly visit the hospital for a doctor to determine if treatment intervention is necessary.
Causes of neonatal jaundice
Neonatal jaundice is generally divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice is usually considered a normal phenomenon, where the baby's jaundice can naturally recede without much impact on the baby. If it is pathological jaundice, it means that the jaundice level is high, indicating a pathological condition. Pathological jaundice can be further divided into several types, the most common being elevated direct bilirubin and elevated indirect bilirubin, each with different causes. Common causes of jaundice include increased indirect bilirubin due to infections, hemolysis, and mother-infant blood type incompatibility, such as ABO incompatibility where the mother is type O and the baby is not, or the mother has HR-negative blood and the baby has HR-positive blood. Other factors include reduced thyroid function, enzyme deficiencies such as G6PD deficiency, various types of bleeding like gastrointestinal bleeding, intracranial bleeding, or asphyxia at birth. Conditions like hypoxia or acidosis in the baby can also lead to increased jaundice. Additionally, liver function damage due to viral infections like hepatitis B, cytomegalovirus, and other infectious diseases such as syphilis, as well as other viruses like rubella virus and herpes virus can elevate jaundice levels. Developmental abnormalities of the biliary tract, commonly biliary atresia or congenital bile duct dilation, can cause elevated conjugated bilirubin levels. The causes of jaundice are complex, and some causes might remain unidentified. However, if the baby's general condition is good and the jaundice is manageable, it generally does not affect the baby. If jaundice levels are high, it is advised to visit a hospital where doctors can conduct relevant tests based on the baby's specific condition to determine if treatment is needed.
Can newborns with jaundice drink water?
Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in newborns, especially in the early stages. It can be categorized into physiological and pathological jaundice. If it is early-stage neonatal jaundice, the general condition of the infant is still good, but the progression of jaundice can be quick with noticeable reduction in urine and stool output, and dry skin may occur, possibly due to insufficient feeding. At this point, it is necessary to strengthen feeding. If the mother's breast milk is clearly insufficient, or the baby hardly gets any milk from breastfeeding, then supplemental feeding is required. Usually, supplemental feeding primarily involves formula feeding, and generally, babies are not given water because both breast milk and formula provide sufficient hydration. Hence, it is generally recommended not to give water to newborns with jaundice; instead, simply increase feeding.
What to do with neonatal jaundice?
Neonatal jaundice is the most common disease in newborns, mainly characterized by yellowing of the skin. Generally, normal babies also exhibit jaundice, but this is a type of physiological jaundice. If the baby's jaundice appears early, such as within twenty-four hours, or if the jaundice progresses rapidly with significantly rising jaundice levels, or if it is particularly severe, or if the jaundice lasts for a long duration, or if the jaundice recurs after fading, these are considered pathological jaundice. It is generally advised for pathological jaundice to consult a neonatal specialist for a detailed examination of the baby to determine whether treatment intervention is necessary. If the jaundice is severe and parents are worried, it is recommended to go to the hospital in a timely manner, as hospitalization for treatment may be needed. If the jaundice level is too high and there are some pathological factors, and parents are unable to observe the baby well and the baby's condition is not good, and the jaundice continues to rise, it could potentially progress to the brain, leading to bilirubin encephalopathy, which is a serious complication. Therefore, high jaundice levels still require timely intervention. If the jaundice is at its peak, it is recommended to test for jaundice daily, as timely intervention when jaundice levels are high can prevent serious complications.
Neonatal jaundice, how many days can it completely subside?
Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in newborns, especially in early newborns. Neonatal jaundice can be a normal physiological phenomenon, but it can also be a manifestation of certain diseases. Generally, if it is physiological jaundice in full-term babies, it usually resolves within about ten days, and generally lasts no longer than two weeks. In premature babies, it tends to last longer, generally not exceeding four weeks. However, if the jaundice persists for a long time, progresses quickly, and is severe, it may be pathological jaundice. Pathological jaundice might be associated with other discomforts, and in such cases, it is necessary to identify possible pathological factors and treat them accordingly to gradually control and reduce the jaundice. Therefore, if the jaundice persists for a long time, it is advisable to go to the hospital for some relevant tests to determine its nature, and if it is pathological jaundice, timely intervention and treatment are recommended.
normal values of neonatal jaundice
Neonatal jaundice is the most common phenomenon in the neonatal period, generally divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. If the baby's values are within the normal range, it may be physiological jaundice, which does not require special intervention and will resolve on its own. Typically, normal physiological jaundice appears 2-3 days after birth, peaks around 4-5 days, begins to lessen about a week later, and resolves within two weeks, generally occurring in full-term infants born after 37 weeks. It's advisable for babies to have their jaundice monitored daily within the first two weeks, especially during the peak period, from 2-3 days to about a week or around ten days, when jaundice monitoring should be more frequent. Normally, it's best if the bilirubin levels in newborns do not exceed 6 mg/dL in the first 24 hours, 9 mg/dL within 24-48 hours, 12 mg/dL within 48-72 hours, and 15 mg/dL after 72 hours. These values are generally considered acceptable. Additionally, jaundice progression should not be too rapid; if bilirubin levels rise more than 5 mg/dL within 24 hours, it indicates too rapid an increase in jaundice. In such cases, it is also necessary to go to the hospital, where a neonatal doctor should assess the baby and decide if special treatment intervention is needed.