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Treatment Of Neonatal Jaundice

Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin, the mucous membrane and the white from the eyes. All newborns have a certain degree of this condition. Jaundice is a result of excessive serum bilirubin in the blood. Once he's born, a baby baby begins to use his lungs to breathe. Excessive red blood cells, present in large quantities within the foetal circulation that carry oxygen break up, releasing sub-products referred to as serum bilirubin,

which is usually disposed off through the liver and passes out with the bowels. Some babies are unable to handle such disposal, resulting in jaundice. Premature and Asian infants have higher levels of serum bilirubin when compared with their Caucasian counterparts. As such, neonatal jaundice is extremely common in Singapore.

Neonatal jaundice becomes noticeable from the third day and peaks round the six day, gradually disappearing after 10 days. It's harmless unless the levels are high.

SOME CAUSES OF JAUNDICE In infants Jaundice in babies could be brought on by any from the following.

? Pre-maturity

? G6PD [glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency, a

permanent condition where red blood cells break down too easily when subjected to certain trigger agents.

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? Sepsis infection where the baby becomes infected

? ABO incompatibility, a blood group incompatibility that is fairly infrequent but, if present, can cause rapid and severe jaundice in babies

? Physiologic jaundice

? Breastfeeding jaundice

? Breast milk jaundice - Both viral and microbe infections can lead to the introduction to red blood cells. Umbilical cord infection, septicaemia and even pyelonephritis can also lead to jaundice.

Management of JAUNDICE

Phototherapy is really a effective and safe way of treating mild jaundice. This treatment is run as a special micro-blue wavelength light condensed and

manufactured specifically for this purpose. It is emitted from a fluorescent light tube.

The principle behind the treatment is that the light is able to break serum bilirubin [unconjugated bilirubin) down to conjugated bilirubin after which flush it with the baby's stools. The therapy is painless.

Your baby is left naked except for a diaper to be able to maximize the section of exposure to nowhere light. His eyes are covered for protection. During

phototherapy, your baby may be a little dehydrated so extra feeds may be needed.

neonatal jaundice

In case your doctor has advised sunbathing for the jaundiced baby, expose him to indirect sunlight because of not more than Twenty minutes as baby skin is very tender and sunburn can happen effortlessly. Expose your child simply to the morning sun (and indirectly) when there is less heat.

Remember to shield his eyes in the sun during sunbathing and turn him every 5 minutes. You may give your baby water among milk feeds as dehydration may occur.

SEVERE JAUNDICE

In severe cases, where the level is greater than 350 p.mol/1, jaundice can cause brain damage inside a baby [kernictems). This can lead to irreparable harm to his psychomotor functions, mental retardation as well as death. If you notice the typical the signs of jaundice-yellow discolouration of the skin, palms and white of the eyes-but accompanied by nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and often passing of dark-coloured urine and poor feeding because of severe lethargy,

bring your baby to some doctor immediately.

Early treatment is essential and may save his life. Never attempt self-medication. In such cases, phototherapy alone is generally ineffective along with a blood exchange

transfusion may be required when the levels are too high.

G6PD DEFICIENCY

G6PD deficiency is among the reasons for jaundice. It's caused by a genetic linkage in which the mother is a carrier and the condition is manifested in her son. Approximately 50% of her offspring is affected if the mother is G6PD deficient. If your little one is G6PD deficient, it is important to keep in mind that as the condition can last for life, he can still lead a normal healthy lifestyle with the following precautions.

? Do not use mothballs on his clothes and beddings as they possibly can trigger an immediate introduction to his red blood cells.

? Avoid giving him certain traditional Chinese herbs and fava beans (bian dou) as they can also trigger a rapid introduction to his red blood cells.

? Don't attempt self-medication.

? Avoid certain medications if you are breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor to find out the kinds of medicines you

should avoid.

ABO INCOMPATIBILITY

This problem refers back to the mother and the baby's incompatible blood groups. If the mother is Blood Group 0 and the baby is really a, B or AB, an issue from the mother's blood can cross over the placenta and cause breaking down from the baby's blood cells. This also applies to Rhesus incompatibility where the mother is Rhesus negative and the baby is Rhesus Positive. In such cases, the red blood cells break down rapidly, resulting in jaundice. This normally appears within Twenty four hours but is rarely severe. In severely cases, blood exchange transfusions are needed.