Newborn babies often experience jaundice, with a yellowish color on their face. Mothers are often worried and wonder why their child has jaundice. Below, we will explain the reasons for jaundice.
Causes of Pediatric Jaundice
1. Physiological Jaundice
Due to the metabolic characteristics of bilirubin in newborns, about 50% to 60% of full-term babies and 80% of premature babies will experience physiological jaundice.
Full-term babies will have jaundice 2-3 days after birth, which can disappear within 5-7 days but generally not exceeding 2 weeks.
Premature babies, on the other hand, may develop jaundice 3-5 days after birth, which can disappear within 7-9 days, but may last up to 3-4 weeks.
2. Breast Milk Jaundice
Breast milk jaundice generally occurs in healthy full-term breastfed infants, and the exact mechanism is still unclear.
Breast milk jaundice usually appears 3-4 days after birth and can last for 2-3 weeks or even 2-3 months before disappearing.
3. Maternal-Infant Blood Type Incompatibility
Jaundice in babies caused by maternal-infant blood type incompatibility usually occurs 2-3 days after birth. The most common type is ABO hemolysis, where the mother has blood type O and the baby has blood type A or B.
In addition to jaundice, the baby may also exhibit symptoms such as anemia and hepatosplenomegaly.
4. Drug-Induced Jaundice
Some drugs with oxidative effects, such as sulfonamides, can cause pathological jaundice.
5. Hypothyroidism
Infants with hypothyroidism have slowed intestinal motility, which affects the excretion of meconium and increases the intestinal and hepatic circulation of bilirubin, ultimately worsening jaundice.
Treatment of Pediatric Jaundice
1. Physiological Jaundice
For physiological jaundice, no special treatment is required. Taking the baby outdoors to get sunlight can effectively help it subside.
However, do not expose the baby directly to intense sunlight to avoid damage to the delicate skin from strong ultraviolet radiation.
2. Breast Milk Jaundice
If the baby is diagnosed with breast milk jaundice, temporarily suspending breastfeeding for a period of time can gradually alleviate the jaundice.
3. Maternal-Infant Blood Type Incompatibility
If diagnosed with neonatal hemolysis, blue light therapy should be implemented as soon as possible, without delay.
Otherwise, progressive worsening of jaundice may lead to bilirubin encephalopathy.
If left untreated, the baby may die quickly. Even if they survive, there may be varying degrees of sequelae.
4. Drug-Induced Jaundice
There have been reports that the use of medications such as phenytoin and diazepam by mothers during pregnancy can exacerbate jaundice in newborns.
Therefore, mothers should be cautious when taking medication during pregnancy. All medication use should be consulted with a professional physician, and self-medication should be avoided.
5. Hypothyroidism
In addition to jaundice, these babies may also have symptoms such as lethargy, reduced activity, delayed reactions, and difficulties with feeding.
