Is it useful for newborns with jaundice to take probiotics?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on November 09, 2024
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Probiotics are useful for newborn jaundice. After oral administration of probiotics, they help establish a normal gut microbiota in babies and then reduce the enterohepatic circulation of bilirubin, which aids in the treatment of jaundice. Common probiotics, often referred to in layman's terms as live bacteria, include species like Saccharomyces boulardii, Bifidobacterium, or Lactobacillus, among others. These probiotics are available in pharmacies. Generally, for newborns, especially those who are breastfed and do not recover well from jaundice, oral probiotics can have a therapeutic effect on reducing jaundice, so it is suitable for newborn babies to consume certain probiotics.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 47sec home-news-image

How should a newborn with jaundice be sunbathed?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common symptoms in newborns, and it is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. In cases of physiological jaundice, the baby is generally in good condition, the onset does not occur very early, and the duration is not very long, generally requiring no special intervention. If the jaundice progresses more quickly, it usually peaks around the fourth or fifth day for normal babies. At this time, if parents are concerned, they can appropriately expose the baby to sunlight. Sunlight has a certain effect on reducing jaundice by irradiating the skin. It is generally required that the skin be exposed directly to the sun without going through glass, ideally when the sunlight is not too strong, the external air temperature is not too low, the wind is not too strong, and the weather is good. Generally, the baby should lie in the sun with skin exposed, and some may choose to lie on their backs, but it is important to protect the eyes from direct sunlight. Another method is to let the baby lie on their stomach to expose their back and buttocks to the sun. The duration of exposure should not be too long. If the skin shows obvious redness, it should be stopped immediately, as strong ultraviolet rays could potentially cause sunburn, which might lead to discomfort for the baby. Therefore, when exposing a newborn with jaundice to sunlight, parents should be careful not to overdo it, and also make sure the baby does not get too cold.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Does neonatal jaundice need medication?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in newborns, especially in early newborns. It is a symptom that occurs in the normal development process of newborns, but it may also be a manifestation of certain diseases. Therefore, neonatal jaundice can be a normal phenomenon, but sometimes it may be pathological. Generally, physiological jaundice, which is the normal condition, does not require intervention. Once the jaundice reaches a certain level, it will gradually subside, and the baby generally remains in good condition. At home, it is only necessary to regularly monitor the jaundice without too much worry. If the jaundice appears early and progresses quickly, it may be appropriate to take some medication to reduce the bilirubin. If the jaundice continues to rise, or the baby has other discomforts, it is then necessary to go to the hospital promptly where a neonatologist will conduct relevant examinations and intervene with timely treatment if necessary.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Is neonatal jaundice pneumonia serious?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in the newborn period, especially in early newborns. It can be a symptom of the normal developmental process in newborns or a manifestation of certain diseases. If a newborn has jaundice combined with pneumonia, it is possible that the pneumonia is infectious, and infection is also one of the common causes of jaundice. Therefore, if the inflammation is not controlled, it may repeatedly rebound or continue to rise. If the symptoms of pneumonia are not very severe and the baby is generally in good condition with not particularly high infection indicators, general anti-infective treatment for pneumonia along with corresponding treatment to reduce jaundice will generally have no lasting impact on the baby, as long as it is cured. However, if it is a severe case of pneumonia and the situation is not particularly good, and the jaundice remains very high and severe, it might have a slight impact on the baby later on. If bilirubin encephalopathy occurs, the possibility of neurological sequelae may be greater. Generally, ordinary pneumonia combined with jaundice does not have much impact on the baby.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Causes of neonatal jaundice

Neonatal jaundice is relatively common and its causes are usually related to the characteristics of neonatal bilirubin metabolism, which are mainly manifested in the following aspects: First, excessive production of bilirubin; second, poor ability of plasma albumin to bind bilirubin; third, poor ability of liver cells to process bilirubin; fourth, the enterohepatic circulation is more prevalent than in adults, thus making physiological jaundice more likely to occur. Furthermore, some children are affected by breastfeeding, with a portion of breastfed babies experiencing breast milk jaundice. Other factors include pathological reasons, such as viral infections common in hepatotropic viruses like cytomegalovirus, TORCH, etc.; jaundice can also occur following exposure to cold, which can lead to decreased resistance and bacterial infections; additionally, some children have jaundice due to genetic metabolic reasons.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
2min 2sec home-news-image

How to treat neonatal jaundice

Neonatal jaundice is the most common phenomenon during the neonatal period and generally falls into two categories: physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. As the name suggests, physiological jaundice is a normal physiological phenomenon. It typically appears in full-term babies on days 2-3, peaks on days 4-5, and gradually decreases around day 7, and completely subsides within two weeks. This type does not require intervention as the baby is generally in good condition and usually does not need treatment. Jaundice that appears early, progresses quickly, is severe, or lasts a long time is considered pathological jaundice. The diagnosis of pathological jaundice is generally made by a doctor. It is recommended that babies be monitored daily for jaundice within the first two weeks after birth. Based on the bilirubin levels, if it is high, it is advisable to seek a thorough examination from a neonatologist. Pathological jaundice requires timely intervention, especially considering liver function. If there is a significant increase in indirect bilirubin, this type of jaundice can be neurotoxic. Persistent high jaundice might affect the brain, so prompt intervention is necessary. Hospitalization for jaundice treatment will depend on the cause, and treatment will be symptomatic. The cause might be other pathological factors; removing the cause while treating the jaundice is the usual approach. Common treatment for high indirect bilirubin involves phototherapy. If conjugated bilirubin is elevated, the underlying cause might be more complex and treatment more challenging. Therefore, if jaundice is detected and there is uncertainty, it is advised to promptly visit a hospital for intervention by a neonatal specialist and necessary treatment.