Jaundice, or hyperbilirubinemia, is a common medical condition that develops in newborns in the first two to four days of life. This disease is caused by high levels of bilirubin, a waste product from the breakdown of blood cells, which is found in the blood and bile. A fully developed liver can filter and remove bilirubin, but a newborn's underdeveloped liver can cause jaundice. While there is no surefire way to prevent jaundice, knowing the risk factors can help you decide what you need to do to prevent and prepare for newborn jaundice.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Measuring and Reducing Risk Factors
Step 1. Take a blood test during pregnancy
Certain blood incompatibility can cause more blood cells to be broken down resulting in more bilirubin.
- Mothers who have Rh negative blood or blood type O+ should consider having additional blood tests for the baby as Rh incompatibility and ABO incompatibility are among the highest risk factors.
- Genetic enzyme deficiencies, such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, can also lead to an increased risk of jaundice because this condition can damage certain blood cells, resulting in more bilirubin in the bloodstream.
- In addition to prenatal blood tests, doctors now routinely test newborns to make sure the baby doesn't show any symptoms of jaundice before leaving the hospital.
Step 2. Reduce the risk of premature birth
Babies born before 38 weeks have a high risk of jaundice. The liver conditions of babies born prematurely are less developed than those of full-term babies, making it more difficult for the newborn's liver to get rid of bilirubin.
- Some risk factors for preterm birth, such as age or multiple births, cannot be changed. However, there are many environmental risks that can be changed.
- Never miss your prenatal checkup. Early and consistent prenatal checkups will ensure that you and your baby are as healthy as possible during pregnancy. That way, any problems that could lead to premature birth can be identified immediately.
- Avoid chemical contaminants. Tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and some drugs can increase your chances of giving birth early. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor. Environmental pollutants can also increase the risk.
- Calm down as much as possible. Stress is a major factor causing premature birth. Lack of social support, stressful or emotional work, and domestic violence, whether physical or emotional, can all contribute to stress and lead to premature birth.
- Monitor or reduce the risk of certain infections. Infections such as herpes, syphilis, CMV, and toxoplasma can cause premature birth as well as jaundice.
Step 3. Understand that breastfed babies are also prone to jaundice
However, the disease is usually easy to treat and only lasts a short time.
- Naturally, breast milk is not produced until a few days after the birth of the baby. In the first few days of life, breastfed babies consume a pre-milk liquid called colostrum. The amount of colostrum is very small, but nutrient dense.
- Breastfed babies don't drink as much as formula-fed babies in the first few days of life, therefore their digestive systems don't empty as quickly, causing bilirubin to build up in the body. In general this is not a cause for concern, and experts still recommend breastfeeding.
- Because breastfed babies often experience mild cases of jaundice, it is not uncommon for doctors to recommend formula feeding for the first few days of life, especially if the baby is at high risk for jaundice, until breast milk can be produced regularly.
Part 2 of 3: Treating Jaundice in Newborns
Step 1. Immediately breastfeed your baby
Breastfeeding your baby as soon as he is born can help reduce the risk of developing jaundice and also start treating it if the baby is already infected.
- Mothers who start breastfeeding within the first few hours after the birth of the baby tend to have higher success than mothers who delay it. Early weight gain can help your baby's development, making it easier for the liver to do its job.
- In addition, the colostrum that the mother produces in the first days after delivery encourages the baby's digestive system to excrete waste, thereby helping to expel excess bilirubin from the intestines. In other words, the sooner the baby begins to defecate, the sooner the jaundice will be cured.
- If you decide to breastfeed your baby, work with a lactation counselor to improve your breastfeeding technique. These counselors can help new mothers learn how to properly latch on so their newborns can get adequate milk.
Step 2. Feed the baby often
A regular supply of milk can increase the weight and development of the baby, including the development of his liver. This applies to both breast-fed and formula-fed babies. Ideally, a newborn should be fed at least 8 to 12 times a day for the first few days, especially if he or she is at risk for jaundice.
If you are breastfeeding, increasing the frequency of feedings on the first day after birth (at least 8 to 12 times per day) will encourage faster milk production and ensure an abundant milk supply
Step 3. Dry your baby
Ultraviolet light reacts with bilirubin, converting it into a form that does not need to pass through the liver to be excreted, thereby removing excess bilirubin from the body and reducing the risk of jaundice.
- Dry your baby naked or in a diaper for no more than five minutes at a time, once or twice a day. Do not exceed this time because exposure to the sun for too long can easily cause the baby's skin to burn and actually cause further complications. Make sure the baby is not cold when drying by raising the room temperature and/or laying the baby on your chest while drying him.
- Or, you can lay your baby in a bed near a sunny window with a curtain. Curtains and windows can filter out a lot of ultraviolet light which can cause a baby to overheat. Thus, the baby can get sunlight without the risk of burns.
Part 3 of 3: Understanding Jaundice
Step 1. Understand how jaundice develops
Jaundice usually develops on the second or third day of a baby's life and usually follows a predictable pattern.
- In a healthy body, bilirubin is a normal byproduct that occurs in the bloodstream when red blood cells are broken down. Bilirubin flows to the liver, where it is excreted into the bile ducts and finally into the feces. In newborns with jaundice, the liver has not been able to work efficiently so that bilirubin builds up in the liver and blood instead of being channeled into the bile ducts.
- In the hospital, routine tests are carried out on newborns to find out if the baby has jaundice. It is very common, that about 60% of babies born at term will develop jaundice, and the rate is even higher in premature babies. In a routine procedure, newborns will be tested for bilirubin levels by pricking the baby's heel and removing a small amount of blood.
- Babies with bilirubin levels below 5 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are considered normal, while levels above 5 mg/dL are considered higher levels.
- Most babies with low-to-moderate jaundice don't need treatment, and the jaundice will clear up after a week or two.
- Sometimes, if the bilirubin level is very high, rises too quickly, or doesn't go down after two weeks, your doctor may suggest light therapy (a harmless ultraviolet therapy that most babies enjoy).
- In rare cases, the baby may need a blood transfusion to reduce severe jaundice.
Step 2. Know the symptoms of jaundice
Most babies born in the hospital will be tested one or more times for their bilirubin levels, but certain symptoms can signal jaundice:
- The skin and whites of the eyes are yellow. This is the most common sign for jaundice.
- Drowsiness and difficulty breastfeeding. Sometimes, the bilirubin level makes the baby sleepy, making it difficult to give him breast milk or formula. Try undressing your baby to wake him up to feed.
Step 3. Know when jaundice is a warning sign
Jaundice is very common and often goes away on its own. But in rare cases, jaundice can cause complications and require treatment.
- Although jaundice is common in newborns, untreated high levels of bilirubin (medically known as “severe hyperbilirubinemia”) in the blood can cause bilirubin to flow into the brain, causing serious complications.
- Although rare, these complications can cause permanent brain damage (cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, or developmental disorders), improper development of tooth enamel, or hearing loss.
- Symptoms to watch out for include lethargy, bright yellow coloration, and yellow feet (especially the soles of the feet). In addition, poor muscle density, unusual and high-pitched crying, fever or fussiness are also possible.
- The doctor may suggest giving formula milk in addition to breast milk if the baby's bilirubin levels continue to rise after the first few days of life. In most cases, there is no need to supplement with formula, unless the baby's bilirubin is at a level of 20 mg/dL or higher or if the baby has other risk factors for jaundice such as premature birth or blood disorders or is losing too much weight. Formula feeding can complicate the chances of establishing a successful breastfeeding relationship. Talk to your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of supplementing with formula before you decide.
Tips
- Since most babies have jaundice, it's probably best not to wear yellow clothes on your baby. Yellow clothes tend to make the yellow color of the eyes and skin of babies with jaundice more noticeable.
- If your baby's skin is dark, check his gums and the whites of his eyes for yellowness.
Warning
- Never give water to a newborn. You might think this is a good way to get your baby to defecate faster, but actually water can be fatal for a newborn because it upsets the delicate balance of nutrients in his bloodstream.
- Seek immediate medical attention if your baby looks lethargic, has a bright yellow hue, or if the soles of his feet are yellow, or if you think your baby is having difficulty feeding or appears dehydrated.
