Is neonatal jaundice pneumonia serious?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 11, 2024
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Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in the newborn period, especially in early newborns. It can be a symptom of the normal developmental process in newborns or a manifestation of certain diseases. If a newborn has jaundice combined with pneumonia, it is possible that the pneumonia is infectious, and infection is also one of the common causes of jaundice. Therefore, if the inflammation is not controlled, it may repeatedly rebound or continue to rise. If the symptoms of pneumonia are not very severe and the baby is generally in good condition with not particularly high infection indicators, general anti-infective treatment for pneumonia along with corresponding treatment to reduce jaundice will generally have no lasting impact on the baby, as long as it is cured. However, if it is a severe case of pneumonia and the situation is not particularly good, and the jaundice remains very high and severe, it might have a slight impact on the baby later on. If bilirubin encephalopathy occurs, the possibility of neurological sequelae may be greater. Generally, ordinary pneumonia combined with jaundice does not have much impact on the baby.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Does neonatal jaundice recede from the forehead first?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common phenomena in newborns, with about 80% of full-term infants visibly exhibiting jaundice. Typically, the development of jaundice begins in the facial area and gradually extends to the trunk and limbs. Its reduction follows the reverse pattern, generally receding from the limbs to the trunk and then slowly to the facial area. Usually, if the face no longer appears yellow, the jaundice has essentially subsided.

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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.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 14sec home-news-image

Is neonatal jaundice pneumonia serious?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in the newborn period, especially in early newborns. It can be a symptom of the normal developmental process in newborns or a manifestation of certain diseases. If a newborn has jaundice combined with pneumonia, it is possible that the pneumonia is infectious, and infection is also one of the common causes of jaundice. Therefore, if the inflammation is not controlled, it may repeatedly rebound or continue to rise. If the symptoms of pneumonia are not very severe and the baby is generally in good condition with not particularly high infection indicators, general anti-infective treatment for pneumonia along with corresponding treatment to reduce jaundice will generally have no lasting impact on the baby, as long as it is cured. However, if it is a severe case of pneumonia and the situation is not particularly good, and the jaundice remains very high and severe, it might have a slight impact on the baby later on. If bilirubin encephalopathy occurs, the possibility of neurological sequelae may be greater. Generally, ordinary pneumonia combined with jaundice does not have much impact on the baby.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
55sec home-news-image

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
1min 6sec home-news-image

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.