Probably, many are familiar with such a term as jaundice, the signs in children and adults of which are staining of the skin and mucous membrane in a yellowish color. This process is due to the accumulation of pigment in the tissues - bilirubin. Jaundice is still not a separate disease, it is rather a sign or a kind of signal that something "abnormal" is happening in the body. And it is always scary when a similar phenomenon occurs in a small child. So what is hidden under the term "jaundice"? How is she treated? What are the signs of jaundice in children and adults?
What is bilirubin?
Before you dig into the essence of this yellow syndrome, you need to understand what bilirubin is. Simply put, it is a coloring pigment of bile, which is the product of the breakdown of hemoglobin. In a normal state, bilirubin accumulates in the digestive tract, and then is excreted from the body naturally, that is, through feces. But if a person has an unhealthy condition in which this pigment does not appear and begins to accumulate in the blood, his skin and sclera acquire a yellowish tint.
Bilirubin: normal
Normal bilirubin levels in healthy people are as follows:
- Total - up to 20.5 μmol / l.
- Direct - up to 5.1 μmol / L.
- Free - up to 16.2 μmol / l.
It is worth noting that bilirubin is an extremely dangerous compound. It is very toxic to our body. Its significant excess has a negative effect on human health. Excess bilirubin leads to intoxication of the whole organism and to malfunctioning of organs. This effect is especially dangerous for newborns.
Varieties of jaundice and root causes
The jaundice symptom itself develops in only three cases:
- Firstly, if bilirubin is formed in excess.
- Secondly, if the processing of this enzyme is disrupted.
- And thirdly, if its elimination is violated.
Based on these three cases, three forms of jaundice are distinguished:
- Suprahepatic . In this case, excessive bilirubin formation occurs due to increased decay of red blood cells, and the liver simply does not have time to process it.
Suprahepatic jaundice develops with the following diseases and certain causes:
- Anemia in children.
- Sepsis, malaria, typhoid fever.
- Endocarditis.
- Parasites in the blood.
- Incompatibility of the donor product.
- Extensive hematomas.
- Malignant formations of hematopoietic tissue.
- Hepatic This form of jaundice is associated with the destruction of liver cells. She simply is not able to capture bilirubin, as a result of which both direct and free pigment in the blood are increased. The diseases associated with hepatic jaundice are diverse, but the most common are viral hepatitis and cirrhosis.
- Subhepatic. This form occurs when the function of the outflow of bile is impaired. The reason in this case may be blockage of the bile duct with stones or parasites, or squeezing by various formations: cysts or tumors.
There is also the so-called false jaundice, which appears as a result of eating foods with a large amount of keratin. Similar signs of jaundice in children (1 year - 2.5 years) occur if the baby eats a lot of carrots, pumpkins or oranges.
The first signs of jaundice in children
Each form of this syndrome has its own specific symptoms. Signs of jaundice in children at 3 years old differ little from adults. But in a child, jaundice most often occurs against a background of hepatitis. So that children do not have this disease, compulsory vaccination is carried out in our country. Now we will analyze the symptoms for each form, and consider the signs of jaundice in a child (2 years and older).
Understand that a baby has suprahepatic jaundice by the following indicators:
- Increased indirect bilirubin in the blood.
- The skin, sclera and mucous membranes become yellow with moderate pallor.
- The feces also change color; it becomes dark brown.
- The liver and spleen increase in size. Perhaps the occurrence of pain in the left hypochondrium.
- Temperature rise.
- Vagaries, headache, fatigue and increased heart rate in a child.
The following symptoms are characteristic of the second form of jaundice (hepatic):
- Bright orange shade of the skin and mucous membrane.
- Enlarged liver and spleen.
- Chills and fever.
- Lack of appetite in the baby.
- Nausea, headache.
- Apathy.
- Possible nosebleeds.
- Diarrhea.
You can determine this form of jaundice by the following signs:
- Dark color of urine with foam.
- Colorless feces with a lot of fatty acids.
- Increased bilirubin, cholesterol in the blood.
Jaundice in a newborn
Approximately 60% of all newborns show a specific skin color on average on day 3. Jaundice in infants is called physiological, since it does not signal any disease, but indicates a period of adaptation. This phenomenon is temporary and lasts no more than 10 days. So why does it occur and what are the main signs of jaundice in a newborn baby?
The fact is that when the baby is in the womb, he has blood with a special hemoglobin that carries oxygen through the organs. When the baby begins to breathe in the lungs, its blood composition changes, special hemoglobin is destroyed and "living" is formed. This is where excess bilirubin appears, and the small organism is not yet able to cope with it, so jaundice appears. Signs in young children of this syndrome are expressed only by yellowness of the sclera and skin, and the rest of the baby is in a completely normal state. Liver and spleen of normal sizes. In newborns, jaundice is not treated medically, since the liver independently restores its function.
Treatment
Treatment of jaundice is reduced to determining the causes that caused it. For example, suprahepatic jaundice, the signs in children of which have been described above, is treated by stopping the breakdown of red blood cells. If jaundice is caused by the destruction of the liver, then in this case, drugs are used that can restore it. In the case of viral hepatitis, antiviral drugs are prescribed. In more severe diseases, a liver transplant is possible. And subhepatic jaundice, signs in children of which were described above, can only be treated surgically.
Nutrition for jaundice
When treating a disease that caused jaundice, you must definitely adhere to a certain diet. The essence of the principle of nutrition will be to reduce the load on the liver and clear the bile ducts. Here is a list of foods that should be excluded from the diet for the duration of the disease:
- Any broths and soups (fish, meat, chicken, mushroom).
- Any pickles, as well as pickled foods and canned goods.
- Chocolate and all products that contain cocoa.
- Smoked meats and deli meats.
- Cold drinks and ice cream.
- Spices and seasonings.
- Mushrooms.
- Butter rolls and fresh bread.
- Fruits and berries with sourness.
- Eggs (any).
- Legumes
- From vegetables: radish, radish and spinach.
- Alcohol.
- Strong coffee and tea.
- And, of course, fatty and fried foods.
Yes, the list is impressive! Any violation can aggravate the situation, so you need to strictly adhere to this diet. After jaundice, about 2 more weeks will have to be eaten in this way, otherwise the risk of relapse is high.
Probably, at first glance it will seem to many that they will have to go hungry at all. But this is not so. There is a list of allowed products from which it is quite possible to make a daily diet:
- All dairy products with low fat content.
- All cereals, pasta and vegetable dishes.
- Boiled meat (any).
- "Yesterday" bread.
- Fruits.
- Oil (butter, sunflower).
- Weak tea and vegetable juice.
And finally, the food should be fresh and warm. A doctor will help you build a nutrition plan, depending on the severity of the disease.
Preventative measures
The simplest and most basic preventive method is compliance with the rules of personal hygiene of both your own and your child. Particular attention should be paid to clean food. That is, all vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly washed. Be sure to teach your child to wash his hands before eating and after going to the toilet. It is also necessary to avoid contact with personal things of other people, for example, do not use someone else's razor, comb, toothbrush, manicure scissors. The biological products of a sick person can remain on these things. Drink only boiled water. Try not to eat in street cafes. You can become infected with the disease through some procedures, for example, piercing, manicure, pedicure, tattooing. Therefore, perform these manipulations only in trusted stores that have the appropriate certificates. And the surest and most effective way of prevention is vaccination.
Conclusion
The liver is a kind of filter in our body, it absorbs everything unnecessary and harmful. And when its function is impaired, the body is attacked by toxins and other harmful substances. If you find outward signs of jaundice in a child or yourself, see your doctor as soon as possible. Timely treatment will always ensure recovery. Do not be ill!