Congratulations dear parents on the arrival of your precious bundle of joy.

Newborn jaundice is a physiological (normal) event seen in almost all newborns

Why do babies get jaundice?

Babies get jaundice due to an immature liver that can't handle the load of Bilirubin(a yellow substance produced when old red cells die).

How will you know that your baby has jaundice?

On the second or third day, you will notice that the baby's skin and eyes are yellow. This is called jaundice.

How do you treat this jaundice?

Most babies don't need any treatment. You have to breastfeed them more frequently 10-12 feeds per day to increase their stool output as the bilirubin gets excreted in stools. Always consult your dr. to know the severity of jaundice.

In which conditions can the jaundice get severe?

When a mother has a negative and the baby has a positive blood group.

When the mother has an 'O' group and the baby has an 'A' or 'B' group.

Preterm and low birth weight babies are at more risk

When a baby has an infection and sepsis.

During delivery, if blood clots below the baby's scalp, then the jaundice is more.

Babies having underlying blood or liver disorders or other metabolic disorders.

What treatment is given and when?

Treatment is given to babies in the form of phototherapy,

If the blood bilirubin is higher than the limit allowed  in newborns,

If the rise of bilirubin is too fast

High bilirubin with underlying diseases.

Phototherapy Treatment: Baby is kept under lights with their eyes &genitals covered These light rays help to break down the bilirubin in the skin &help to reduce the levels.

The child needs the therapy till the bilirubin comes below the danger mark.

What are the harmful effects of very high jaundice if left untreated?

High levels of bilirubin can damage the nerves of the brain &cause kernicterus. Baby may become deaf and severely handicapped( cerebral palsy)

Can we prevent newborn jaundice?

No, we cannot prevent it but we can prevent it from reaching dangerous levels by feeding the baby well and giving timely phototherapy when needed.

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