How should a newborn with jaundice be sunbathed?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 21, 2024
00:00
00:00

Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common symptoms in newborns, and it is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. In cases of physiological jaundice, the baby is generally in good condition, the onset does not occur very early, and the duration is not very long, generally requiring no special intervention. If the jaundice progresses more quickly, it usually peaks around the fourth or fifth day for normal babies. At this time, if parents are concerned, they can appropriately expose the baby to sunlight. Sunlight has a certain effect on reducing jaundice by irradiating the skin. It is generally required that the skin be exposed directly to the sun without going through glass, ideally when the sunlight is not too strong, the external air temperature is not too low, the wind is not too strong, and the weather is good. Generally, the baby should lie in the sun with skin exposed, and some may choose to lie on their backs, but it is important to protect the eyes from direct sunlight. Another method is to let the baby lie on their stomach to expose their back and buttocks to the sun. The duration of exposure should not be too long. If the skin shows obvious redness, it should be stopped immediately, as strong ultraviolet rays could potentially cause sunburn, which might lead to discomfort for the baby. Therefore, when exposing a newborn with jaundice to sunlight, parents should be careful not to overdo it, and also make sure the baby does not get too cold.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
46sec home-news-image

How long is the incubation period for neonatal jaundice?

Neonatal jaundice is the most common phenomenon in the neonatal period, especially in early neonates, which refers to newborns within the first week of life. About 80% of full-term infants can visually exhibit signs of jaundice. Jaundice can be categorized into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Typically, physiological jaundice appears about two to three days after birth. If it is pathological jaundice, it may appear earlier, possibly within the first twenty-four hours after birth. Generally, if the jaundice appears early, progresses quickly, and is severe, it is necessary to intervene and treat promptly.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 3sec home-news-image

Is a bilirubin level of 20 high for a newborn?

If a newborn's skin jaundice reaches a level of twenty, it is a warning sign that the jaundice is significantly elevated. It is advised to promptly go to the hospital for an examination. If the bilirubin levels in the blood are indeed that high, timely intervention and treatment are necessary. Normally, for physiological jaundice, the levels should not exceed fifteen after seventy-two hours in infants. Even during the peak period of four to five days, it should not surpass fifteen. If the jaundice noticeably increases within the first three days and exceeds twenty, the severity of the jaundice might be worse. The younger the newborn, especially with levels above twenty, the higher the risk of bilirubin entering the brain, potentially leading to bilirubin encephalopathy. Therefore, with jaundice reaching twenty, it is still recommended to promptly go to the hospital for intervention and treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 10sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
2min 14sec home-news-image

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.