Is it common for newborns to have Jaundice? How worried should I be that mine has a moderate case?
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Newborn jaundice
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Hi,
Jaundice or Hyperbilirubinemia is not uncommon in infancy. Severity depends on a variety of factors from ethnicity to blood type of mom and baby as well as prematurity. Your doctor should be monitoring the blood levels and directing therapy based on the level. There are very well established guidelines on treatment vs monitoring. In general if guidelines are followed its a self limited condition that self resolves and has no long term consequences.
Jaundice or Hyperbilirubinemia is not uncommon in infancy. Severity depends on a variety of factors from ethnicity to blood type of mom and baby as well as prematurity. Your doctor should be monitoring the blood levels and directing therapy based on the level. There are very well established guidelines on treatment vs monitoring. In general if guidelines are followed its a self limited condition that self resolves and has no long term consequences.
Nearly all newborns have some degree of jaundice. Jaundice is caused by bilirubin which is a normal product of red blood cells. Most jaundice is benign; however, there are a few instances when jaundice can be due to an underlying condition. If the jaundice is in the first few days of life, it is likely normal newborn jaundice. Normal or "physiologic" jaundice usually rises over the first 4 days of life, peaks, then slowly improves. Frequent feedings are helpful in helping the baby remove the jaundice from the body. Each day that goes by, a higher and higher level of jaundice needs to be reached in order for it to trigger an intervention. As long as the baby is being followed by the doctor, jaundice should not be an issue. However, you will want to discuss this with your child's doctor.
Most newborns develop some level of jaundice which typically peaks at day 3-4 of life. It is important for your pediatrician to be monitoring your newborn's color during that time to assess the level of jaundice. There is a particular algorithm which is used to assess the level of jaundice as it compares to the age of the newborn. There are some levels at which your newborn may need indirect sun treatment, and high/critical levels which mean the newborn needs to go back tot he hospital nursery to receive special light treatment. Be sure to followup with your pediatrician to closely monitor the level of jaundice.
Jaundice results when your baby's bilirubin levels are elevated. Bilirubin is a product of red blood destruction and is produced by everyone regardless of age. The older you are, the better able your liver, intestines, and kidney are in getting rid of excess bilirubin. For babies, while these organs are developing, the baby may need "help". Your pediatricians first course of action is to try to determine the actual cause of elevated bilirubin. By far, the most common cause is dehydration. The baby just needs to be fed more. Your doctor will monitor the baby's bilirubin levels and determine if more intensive therapy is required. Treated correctly, neonatal jaundice has absolutely no long term effect.