Elevated bilirubin in newborns is often a sign of jaundice. The visual manifestations of this disease is yellow staining of the mucous membranes, skin and eye proteins, which occurs as a result of biochemical processes in the blood. If the number of decaying red blood cells exceeds the norm, they accumulate in the tissues and cause the appearance of a similar shade. Bilirubin in newborns, the norm of which differs from the norm of an adult, can increase due to the lack of full maturity of the liver, which is not able to cope with its "duties".
Jaundice is divided into two types: physiological and pathological. The first form of this disease appears about 3-4 days after birth and is characteristic of approximately 70% of children. This type of jaundice after a certain time disappears without a trace. The general well-being of the baby in this case has no deviations. The norm of bilirubin in newborns is 103-107 micromol / l. Approximately on the fifth day of a child’s life, the child’s body reaches similar indicators.
In general, the level of bilirubin is associated with how the mother went through pregnancy, whether there were any diseases, as well as with the degree of fetal maturity. Very often, jaundice occurs as a result of intrauterine hypoxia, asphyxia, or diabetes in a woman.
Pathological jaundice is a disease that develops with a significant increase in bilirubin in the baby. There may be several reasons for this:
- Rhesus conflict: various Rhesus factors in the mother and child;
- destruction of red blood cells that have a genetic basis;
- liver infections;
- obstructive jaundice ;
- bowel obstruction;
- Gilbert's syndrome;
- hormonal disruptions.
According to this list, the conclusion suggests itself that only doctors can correctly determine the cause of the development of the disease and choose the right treatment.
The bilirubin level in these cases is examined using a blood test. Later, the doctor prescribes several other diagnostic methods, as a result of which then the diagnosis is made.
It is important to remember that elevated bilirubin in newborns is a very dangerous indicator, because blood albumin cannot completely block it. As a result, it enters the nervous system and has a toxic effect on it. A similar situation is very dangerous for the development of the brain and nerve centers. This condition is called bilirubin encephalopathy and manifests itself in the first days of life with the following symptoms:
- increased drowsiness,
- low level of sucking reflex,
- cramps and increased motor anxiety,
- increased blood pressure,
- increased size of the spleen and liver.
By six months, the baby has hearing impairment, inhibition in mental development and paralysis. Therefore, increased bilirubin in newborns requires serious treatment and in the future regular visits to a neurologist.
If a baby is diagnosed with physical jaundice, phototherapy is the most effective way to reduce bilirubin. Under the influence of light, bilirubin turns into lumirubin and after 12 hours it is excreted from the body with urine and feces. Sometimes side effects of this type of treatment are peeling of the skin and loose stools, which is eliminated after the termination of procedures. At the same time, mother's milk and frequent attachments to the breast help perfectly.
Increased bilirubin in newborns, which causes pathological jaundice, is treated in a hospital by neonatologists.
Remember that this indicator should be monitored even after successful treatment by visiting specialists and taking tests.