Does neonatal jaundice cause fever?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 22, 2024
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Fever in newborns with simple jaundice is relatively rare. If a newborn has jaundice accompanied by fever, it is important to be vigilant for the possibility of sepsis. Since the symptoms of sepsis in newborns are atypical and non-specific, it is essential to take this seriously. It is recommended that parents promptly take the child to the hospital for examination. A blood culture should be performed to determine if sepsis is present. If the jaundice is excessively high, active phototherapy may be necessary to reduce the bilirubin levels.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 35sec home-news-image

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.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Do newborns with jaundice love to sleep?

In newborns with jaundice, it is important to determine whether it is physiological or pathological jaundice. Typically, babies with normal physiological jaundice are generally in good condition, able to eat and sleep well. If they are hungry or uncomfortable, they will cry and wake up. However, if a baby continuously sleeps without waking up for a long period of time, does not wake up even when stimulated, it might indicate a condition of excessive sleepiness, which then falls into a pathological state. If the jaundice significantly worsens and affects the brain, it is often referred to as bilirubin encephalopathy, which might initially manifest as excessive sleepiness. Severe infections or other diseases can also present excessive sleepiness as a symptom. Therefore, if you notice that the baby is sleeping significantly more than usual, and appears lethargic and unresponsive, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly.

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Written by Shi Ji Peng
Pediatrics
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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.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Which department should a newborn with jaundice go to?

If a newborn has jaundice, it is first necessary to distinguish whether it is physiological jaundice or pathological jaundice. For physiological jaundice, it is self-healing, so there is no need to visit a hospital. As for pathological jaundice, it occurs within 24 hours after birth, or the daily increase in jaundice is particularly large, exceeding the normal range. In such cases, the child should be taken to the hospital for timely medical treatment. Generally, for general hospitals, it is appropriate to visit the pediatric department. If it is a children's hospital or a municipal maternal and child health hospital, then the child should be taken to the neonatology department. Neonatologists will actively treat the child's jaundice and, as a rule, pathological jaundice requires hospitalization.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Symptoms of higher neonatal jaundice

Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms during the neonatal period, with about 80% of full-term infants visibly exhibiting jaundice. Jaundice may occur as part of the normal developmental process or as a manifestation of certain diseases. It is categorized into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. High levels of jaundice may indicate pathological jaundice. Generally, if the baby's skin and mucous membranes are obviously yellow, and the jaundice has spread to the limbs or even beyond the palms and soles, which are also notably yellow, it is a sign that the jaundice is severe. Parents can typically observe a clear yellowing of the sclera, the white part of the eyes. The baby may also show other signs of discomfort, such as significant crying and restlessness, pronounced vomiting or increased regurgitation, or even symptoms like abdominal bloating, diarrhea, reluctance to feed, prolonged feeding times, lethargy, or potentially even fever and other discomforts.