Parents are extremely kind to the health of their children. Especially when it comes to newborns. But what if the crumb, recently born, was given a strange diagnosis of "jaundice"? Do not be afraid of this word, because most often it characterizes the natural physiological process taking place in a young body. So, let's take a look at what jaundice is in newborns. The causes and consequences of this phenomenon are described in the article.
State characteristic
Jaundice in newborns, the causes and consequences of which are not clear to parents, causes some panic in mothers. Therefore, we will initially analyze what it is.
To understand why the baby's skin becomes orange, you need to remember the course of anatomy.
Human blood contains red cells. Their main function is to distribute oxygen throughout the body. Such cells live for several months. Then they are destroyed. In the process of their decay, a certain pigment with a yellow color is produced in the body - bilirubin.
This substance is neutralized by the liver, after which it is excreted from the human body. However, if pigment levels are elevated, malfunctions may occur. It is in this case that such a phenomenon as jaundice occurs. Bilirubin is not completely excreted from the body and stains the skin integument yellow.
For an adult, this is a signal about the occurrence of serious diseases, which are based on the destruction of the liver. But for a newborn, such a condition is a physiological, normal process. After all, the crumb body only learns to function independently.
Causes of Jaundice
A similar condition is observed in almost 60% of newborn babies. Jaundice is manifested, usually on the 2-3rd day after birth. It is more pronounced in premature babies.
Above, we examined the mechanism of occurrence of such a phenomenon as jaundice in newborns. The causes and consequences of this condition require a more detailed study.
Jaundice occurs as a result of the following factors:
- Newborn babies have an excess of red blood cells in their blood. In addition, red cells disintegrate much faster than in an adult. That is why the baby has the destruction of a large number of red blood cells, resulting in the formation of free bilirubin.
- It was said above that pigment is excreted by the liver. For bilirubin to leave the body, it must be contacted in this particular organ. In crumbs, the liver is not yet able to fully provide such a transformation.
- Bilirubin undergoes metamorphosis in the intestine under the influence of normal microflora, and then excreted in urine and feces. But, again, the child’s body only learns to adapt to independent functioning. The intestines of the crumbs are gradually colonized by microflora. That is why it is not able to immediately remove bilirubin from the body.
As a result, the baby develops a physiological jaundice. This is not a dangerous condition for the crumbs. But sometimes a newborn can manifest a pathological jaundice. In this case, the baby needs adequate treatment.
Sources of the pathological condition
Doctors say that the causes of such jaundice can be hidden in the following:
- there is an incompatibility of the blood of the child and the mother in the group or Rh factor;
- the baby’s liver is not functioning properly;
- the baby has underdeveloped bile ducts;
- inflammatory processes occur in the child’s liver.
Symptoms of physiological jaundice
Distinctive characteristics of the natural physiological process are the following features:
- Jaundice appears no earlier than 36 hours after the baby is born.
- It reaches maximum severity on the 3-5th day.
- Yellow staining of the skin of the face, neck, chest. The integument below the navel does not acquire an orange tint.
- A blood test shows high bilirubin. However, the level does not exceed 205 μmol / L.
- The behavior of the child is active. Well-being, the general condition is not violated.
It is important to remember when the jaundice in newborns passes. In full-term babies, bilirubin begins to decline on the 14th day. This is an important indicator that characterizes the physiological process. In premature babies, bilirubin declines by the 21st day.
However, it should be understood that sometimes some deviations from the above norms may be observed. And while they do not always indicate the development in the body of a phenomenon such as pathological jaundice.
Komarovsky argues that premature babies may face an earlier manifestation of this condition. Often in these children, yellowing occurs on the second day of life. In addition, Dr. Komarovsky points out that twins or children whose mothers are diabetic may have protracted jaundice.
All babies must be observed. Sometimes physiological jaundice is able to go into a pathological form. And the last condition requires timely treatment.
Signs of a pathological condition
What symptoms indicate a problem in the children's body? Unfortunately, the border between pathological and physiological jaundice is very unstable. But still, there are differences between them.
A pathological condition can be suspected by the following signs:
- Jaundice occurs in the first 24 hours after birth.
- Staining of the skin in a yellow tint can be observed on the 7th day of the baby's life.
- A blood test shows not only high bilirubin, but also its rapid growth. There is a daily rate in excess of 85 μmol / L.
- The skin of the baby turns yellow not only above, but also below the navel. Yellowness of the palms, feet is observed.
- The general condition of the baby is impaired. The child is agitated or depressed.
- The urine of the crumbs becomes dark, and the stool becomes colorless.
- The jaundice in a child is delayed and may be wavy in nature.
What is the basis of pathology?
The following factors can provoke a similar condition:
- prematurity, immaturity of the baby;
- fetal growth retardation in the prenatal period;
- mother taking many drugs during pregnancy and childbirth;
- extensive hemorrhages, cephalohematomas;
- lack of breastfeeding;
- large weight loss in newborns;
- prelactation feeding with a mixture.
And do not forget when the jaundice in newborns passes. The physiological process should not last more than 21 days. Therefore, if your baby remains yellow after the above time, be sure to consult a doctor.
Possible consequences
Jaundice in newborns is most often a physiological condition. Therefore, it passes on its own, without any treatment and does not leave any consequences.
But if the jaundice does not pass a month, or there are other signs indicating a pathological phenomenon, then the small patient needs adequate therapy.
Every day the condition of the crumbs worsens. The baby's skin becomes a greenish tint, the size of the liver and spleen may increase.
Serious complications can develop without medical attention:
- Toxic poisoning of the brain, nervous system.
- A high level of bilirubin can lead to a decrease in albumin, as a result of which albuminemia will develop.
- If the pigment enters the brain, then the crumbs will have nuclear jaundice. This pathology can cause deafness, frequent convulsions, a lag of the baby in mental development.
- The late stage of the disease is characterized by involuntary contractions of muscle tissue. The child may lose control of motor functions.
Moreover, if a pathological condition is detected in the early stages and timely treatment is carried out, then unpleasant consequences, as a rule, do not arise.
Diagnostics
One skin tone is not enough to confirm the presence of jaundice. For the diagnosis of the baby, examinations are prescribed:
- urine and blood tests;
- study of the level of pigment in serum and blood;
- Ultrasound
If necessary, the baby is sent for consultation to an endocrinologist, surgeon, cardiologist.
Baby treatment
Many pediatricians, both domestic and foreign, argue that in most cases, a newborn does not need drug therapy.
Jaundice lasting about three weeks is not a disease. Therefore, this condition does not need treatment. A completely different picture is observed if the jaundice is characterized as a symptom of a serious ailment. The baby needs adequate therapy if bilirubin reaches a dangerous level in the body, and even more so, continues to grow.
Treatment of jaundice depends on the level of pigment, the condition of the baby, the cause of the development of pathology.
The following activities may be assigned to the child:
- phototherapy;
- drug treatment;
- blood transfusion (if the risk of developing nuclear jaundice is high).
Phototherapy for babies
The simplest but effective method for treating jaundice is light therapy. Today it is extremely successfully practiced in almost all clinics.
For phototherapy, a special lamp from jaundice is used. The waves emitted by it stimulate the process of splitting bilirubin into non-toxic compounds. The latter after intensive therapy, lasting about 10-12 hours, are removed from the body of the crumbs in a natural way (with urine and feces).
This method allows you to abandon medications. In addition, it does not require the separation of the child from the mother. Therefore, breastfeeding is not interrupted.
The duration of phototherapy usually takes about 96 hours.
Drug therapy
If the level of bilirubin significantly exceeds the boundary indicator, or the effect of phototherapy is negligible, the baby is prescribed medication.
Drug therapy consists of:
- From choleretic drugs. Recommended funds that improve the functioning of the liver and removes excess bile from the body. The newborn is prescribed medication: Ursofalk, Hofitol. Both one and the second medication are allowed for use from the first days of life. However, the Hofitol preparation is preferable, since the Ursofalk medicine contains many additional components (preservatives, flavorings) that can provoke an allergy.
- Sorbents. The drugs bind toxic substances, toxins and remove them from a small organism. Smecta, Enterosgel, and activated charcoal can be prescribed for a newborn. As a rule, preference is given to the first medicine. From the preparation "Smecta", produced in the form of a powder, a suspension for an infant is easily made. In addition, this natural sorbent is absolutely safe for babies.
- Vitamin complexes.
Home treatment
If the child has a physiological jaundice, then, as mentioned above, the infant does not need therapy. Therefore, mom and baby will be discharged from the hospital home. However, you can help your baby deal with this condition faster.
Treatment of jaundice at home includes such measures:
- Sun baths. Give your baby the opportunity to sunbathe. The sun is the best doctor. Under its influence, bilirubin is destroyed. But remember that the crumbs should not be exposed to direct sunlight for a long time so that burns do not appear on the delicate skin of children.
- Diet. A nursing mother should strictly monitor her food. It is recommended to completely exclude foods with a pronounced taste from the diet. Refuse pickles, smoked meats. It is better to base your diet on vegetables and fruits. Do not forget about drinking regimen. A nursing woman needs to drink about 2 liters of water per day.
- Rosehip broth. The drink perfectly normalizes digestion and stimulates the removal of harmful substances. The broth can be used by the mother herself. Drink is allowed for babies.
Conclusion
Now you know what jaundice is in newborns. The causes and consequences of this condition are also known to you. Most often, an orange shade of the skin indicates the occurrence of a natural phenomenon. Despite this, the baby needs careful monitoring. In case of any deterioration, you must respond immediately. This is the only way to protect the baby from serious consequences.