I Pediatric Potato's 1
by Dr. Joey Bell, Pembroke Pediatrics
New parents always have lots of questions to ask atter the birth ot a new
baby boy or girl (and so do the grandparents of course!). One of the most
common questions I get asked in the nurseiv is about baby jaundice, commonly
called "yellow jaundice".
Baby jaundice is a condition caused by the breakdown of red blood cells in
the baby's circulatory system after birth. These broken down cells are usually
taken care by the liver and excreted out the bladder or intestines. In the new born,
however, the liver is not very mature and cannot handle all the cell
products and they begin to build up in the bloodstream. This buildup causes
the skin to take on a yellowish color, thus the name "yellow jaundice". As the
liver gets more mature, it better handles red cell products and jaundice usually
does not recur.
When I speak to parents before they leave the nursery w ith their newborn. 1
remind them that a little jaundice is not uncommon during the first week of
life. Usually mild jaundice will resolve itself naturally by the seventh day of
life. There are some conditions that may prolong or worsen baby jaundice.
Breast-fed babies usually have higher levels of jaundice than bottle-fed babies,
but usually not enough to harm the infant. ( Remember, breast-feeding is
the best nutrition for a baby!) Occasionally, a difference in blood types between
the non and baby will cause a more severe form of jaundice. Rarely,
and infant will be bom with a blood disorder that will raise the jaundice level.
If a baby has mild yellowing of the skin during the first week of life, simple
observation will do. You can help mild jaundice go aw ay faster by placing.the
unclothed baby in sunlight that is coming through a closed window. Remember
to protect the eyes by covering them with a rolled up washcloth. If the skin
becomes a bright yellow or it the jaundice persist or appears after the first
week, see your doctor to rule out any serious problems.
Well, that's jaundice in a nutshell. We'll talk again next week!
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