Jaundice in infants is one of the most common medical conditions immediately after birth, and it often appears during the first three days of the child's life. It is a condition where parents notice yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, and it happens as a result of an increase in a substance called bilirubin in the infant's blood.
This substance is produced from the breakdown of red blood cells, and the body gets rid of it via the liver, but the liver in newborns is not fully mature, so this leads to its accumulation. Although most cases of jaundice are normal and disappear gradually,
Some types may be pathological and pose a danger if not treated. Therefore, it is important for the mother to know the signs of jaundice, when it becomes worrying, and how to deal with it properly.
Method of identifying jaundice in an infant
Mothers usually first notice the yellowing of the child's skin, especially in the face and eyes, and this yellowing increases with the passing of days to include the entire body. In the beginning, the yellowing may be mild.
And appears only in daylight, but with the rise in the bilirubin level, it becomes obvious to the naked eye. If the yellowing starts from the face then extends to the chest, abdomen, and limbs, this often indicates an increase in the bilirubin level.
Is jaundice in infants normal or pathological?
There are two basic types:
- Physiological Jaundice: Very common, and usually appears after two to three days from birth and disappears gradually within two weeks without medical intervention in most cases.
- Pathological Jaundice: It starts within the first 24 hours of the child's life or continues for a period longer than normal, and it may be resulting from infections, problems in the blood, or diseases of the liver and bile ducts. This type needs precise follow-up with the doctor.
Does jaundice cause the child to sleep a lot?
Infants with jaundice are often more inclined to sleep and lethargy. Sometimes the mother finds difficulty in waking her child for breastfeeding, and this leads to a bigger problem because lack of breastfeeding reduces the body's ability to get rid of bilirubin.
Therefore, if the mother notices that her child is sleeping excessively and refusing to breastfeed, this is a sign that warrants reviewing the doctor quickly.
Does the color of the infant's stool and urine relate to jaundice?
Yes, the color of urine and stool is from the important signs that help in diagnosing jaundice:
- Urine may become darker than usual.
- Stool may appear in a light or pale color, which is evidence that the liver is not working efficiently enough to get rid of bilirubin.
- Following these changes daily helps in assessing the infant's condition and early intervention if necessary.
Does jaundice affect breastfeeding?
Jaundice often affects the child's ability for natural breastfeeding. The child may breastfeed for very short periods or refuse breastfeeding completely due to lethargy, and this exacerbates the problem because bilirubin is expelled from the body with the stool, and the less breastfeeding there is, the less its disposal.
Therefore, doctors advise increasing the number of natural breastfeeding times to help the child recover quickly, and if breastfeeding is not sufficient, the doctor may resort to other methods to support nutrition.
When do you need medical intervention?
You must refer to the doctor in the following cases:
- If jaundice appears within the first 24 hours of birth.
- The continuation of yellowing for more than 3 weeks.
- Presence of severe lethargy and obvious difficulty in breastfeeding.
- Appearance of convulsions or sharp, unusual crying.
- Yellowing of the entire body to a very strong degree.
- These symptoms indicate that the jaundice has reached a stage that may cause serious complications.
Can jaundice possibly affect the child's brain?
In some rare cases, if the bilirubin level rises significantly and is not treated, it may accumulate in the brain and cause complications known as (Kernicterus). This condition is dangerous because it may affect the child's hearing, mental, and motor development, but it is rare in occurrence, and often can be prevented with early medical follow-up and rapid intervention.
Methods of treating jaundice in infants
Treatment differs according to the type of jaundice and its severity degree:
- Frequent Natural Breastfeeding: The most important and simplest method of treatment, because it helps get rid of bilirubin via the stool.
- Light Therapy (Phototherapy): The child is placed under special lamps that convert bilirubin into a form that is easy for the body to get rid of.
- Partial Blood Transfusion: Used in very severe cases when other methods are not successful.
- Treating the Underlying Cause: If the jaundice is resulting from an infection or a problem in the blood or liver, the cause is treated alongside controlling the symptoms.
- Periodic Follow-up: Measuring the bilirubin level regularly to determine if the condition is improving or needs additional intervention.
Article Summary
Jaundice in infants is a common condition but it needs awareness from mothers to follow its symptoms and act correctly. It usually begins with the appearance of yellowing in the face and eyes, and may be accompanied by lethargy, difficulty in breastfeeding, and change in the color of urine and stool.
Most cases are normal and disappear gradually, but there are pathological cases that may persist or appear early and need precise follow-up with the doctor. Treatment relies on intensive breastfeeding or light therapy, and in severe cases it may require greater medical intervention.
The most important thing is not to neglect the condition and to review the doctor immediately upon the appearance of dangerous signs, as early diagnosis protects the child from any future complications and preserves his natural growth.