Is neonatal jaundice seriously high?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on November 08, 2024
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Neonatal jaundice is a common phenomenon in the neonatal period, divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. If it is pathological jaundice and there is no active intervention, the continuous increase of jaundice can significantly affect the baby. There might be severe sequelae, such as a significant rise in indirect bilirubin, which could lead to bilirubin encephalopathy, affecting the normal function of his nervous system, leading to abnormalities in hearing or cognitive and motor development delays. In severe cases, it could even lead to the baby's death. If conjugated bilirubin is elevated, there might be abnormalities in liver function. If not promptly treated, there could be liver damage or failure, which in severe cases may also threaten the baby's life. Therefore, it is advisable to seek prompt medical attention and treatment if jaundice levels are high.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 16sec home-news-image

Neonatal jaundice bath Chinese medicine

Neonatal jaundice is called "fetal jaundice" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It primarily refers to infants born with jaundice as the main symptom, characterized by yellowing of the skin and facial area. This condition is related to prenatal constitution, hence it is also known as fetal jaundice or fetal dyspepsia. The causes of fetal jaundice are divided into internal and external factors. Internal factors involve the fetus being affected by the toxins of damp-heat or the evil of deficient-cold and damp-cold from the mother. External factors mainly include the baby being affected by damp-heat or cold-damp evils during or after birth, with damp-heat evils being more common. The main affected organs are the liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach, with the key pathogenic mechanism being prenatal damp retention. Commonly used Chinese herbal baths for neonatal jaundice, particularly suitable for damp-heat type jaundice, are generally selected based on the specific conditions of the child, adjusting formulas like Yinchenhao Tang to tailor to the exact pattern of the baby.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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normal values of neonatal jaundice

Neonatal jaundice is the most common phenomenon in the neonatal period, generally divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. If the baby's values are within the normal range, it may be physiological jaundice, which does not require special intervention and will resolve on its own. Typically, normal physiological jaundice appears 2-3 days after birth, peaks around 4-5 days, begins to lessen about a week later, and resolves within two weeks, generally occurring in full-term infants born after 37 weeks. It's advisable for babies to have their jaundice monitored daily within the first two weeks, especially during the peak period, from 2-3 days to about a week or around ten days, when jaundice monitoring should be more frequent. Normally, it's best if the bilirubin levels in newborns do not exceed 6 mg/dL in the first 24 hours, 9 mg/dL within 24-48 hours, 12 mg/dL within 48-72 hours, and 15 mg/dL after 72 hours. These values are generally considered acceptable. Additionally, jaundice progression should not be too rapid; if bilirubin levels rise more than 5 mg/dL within 24 hours, it indicates too rapid an increase in jaundice. In such cases, it is also necessary to go to the hospital, where a neonatal doctor should assess the baby and decide if special treatment intervention is needed.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 17sec home-news-image

What should mothers not eat if their newborn has jaundice?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common symptoms during the neonatal period, especially in early neonates. Neonatal jaundice is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice is due to the physiological characteristics of the child and is considered a normal phenomenon. Generally, the degree of jaundice is not very high, so there is no need for the family to worry too much as the jaundice will subside on its own. If it is pathological jaundice, where jaundice appears earlier, progresses faster, and is more severe, then intervention and treatment are needed. Generally, jaundice is not significantly related to the mother's diet. If the baby has jaundice, the mother should strengthen breastfeeding, encouraging the baby to eat, drink, and excrete more. Good bowel and bladder movements can help with the excretion of jaundice. Therefore, if the newborn has jaundice, the mother does not need to make special changes to her diet; she should just maintain a normal diet, enhance nutrition, and promote milk secretion.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
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Can newborns with jaundice drink water?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in newborns. It can be a normal physiological phenomenon or an external manifestation of certain diseases. Jaundice is generally divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. The treatment of jaundice generally involves observing the progression and severity of the baby's jaundice and any accompanying symptoms. The causes of jaundice are numerous. Regarding the feeding of jaundiced infants, it is important to feed on demand and increase feeding to promote the excretion of urine and stool, which can help reduce jaundice. However, it is not advisable to feed water to newborns with jaundice. Typically, the growth and development of babies are relatively rapid in the early stages, requiring nutritional supply. Water has virtually no nutrients, but breast milk or formula feeding provides sufficient hydration for the baby's needs. Therefore, for jaundiced babies, usually within the first six months of life, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended. In special circumstances, formula supplementation may be appropriate, but feeding water is not recommended.

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What should be done if a newborn's jaundice is higher than 275?

The newborn's jaundice level has already exceeded 275, indicating that the jaundice is elevated. Typically, when jaundice is high, it is advisable to complete liver function tests to check how high the bilirubin level is in the blood. If the bilirubin in the blood is also definitely above 275, this is certainly pathological jaundice. Pathological jaundice generally suggests going to the hospital, where a specialist in neonatology will guide the treatment based on the baby's specific condition. If the baby presents with other accompanying symptoms, hospital intervention and treatment might be necessary. If the general condition is still good, the doctor might advise you to go home with medication or other interventions, with regular follow-up appointments. It is recommended that parents seek timely hospital intervention for high jaundice levels.