Types of Jaundice ( Newborn )

What is Jaundice?

In jaundice the skin and the whites of the eyes ( the sclera ) are offensive considering of increased amounts of a craven pigment called bilirubin in the body. The color of the skin and sclerae vary depending on the level of bilirubin. Bilirubin is produced by the general breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin builds up in the body if the liver doesn ' t tote it into the paunch. Jaundice is also a sign that can materialize in many different diseases.

Types of Jaundice ( Newborn )

Type 1. Blood association incompatibility:

Cause: If a baby and vast have different blood types, sometimes the gargantuan produces antibodies that destroy the newborn ' s red blood cells. This causes a mercurial buildup of bilirubin in the baby ' s blood. Rh problems used to cause the most severe form of jaundice. However, they are preventable if the prodigious is inclined an injection of RhoGAM within 72 hours after delivery.

Treatment: High levels of bilirubin ( ofttimes large 20 mg / dl ) can cause deafness, cognitive palsy, or brain damage in some babies. These complications can be prevented by lowering the bilirubin using phototherapy ( disconsolate light that spell down bilirubin in the skin ). In many communities, phototherapy can be used in the home. In atypical cases footing the bilirubin reaches dangerous levels, an exchange transfusion may be used. This technique replaces the baby ' s blood with fresh blood. Physiological jaundice does not rise to levels requiring this type of treatment.

Type 2. Physiological jaundice:

Cause: This is the most common cause of newborn jaundice and occurs in more than 50 % of babies. For the baby has an immature liver, bilirubin is filtered slower. The jaundice first appears at 2 to 3 days of age.

It much disappears by 1 to 2 weeks of age, and then levels of bilirubin are innocuous.

Treatment: If you feed your baby with a bottle, feed your baby more regularly. Try to feed your baby every 2 to 3 hours during the day.

Type 3. Breast - feeding jaundice:

Cause: Breast - feeding jaundice may happen when your baby does not drink enough breast milk. It occurs in 5 % to 10 % of newborns. The jaundice indicates a need for help with breast - feeding.

Treatment: The leading treatment is to increase the hand of breast milk. Read about breast - feeding or talk with a lactation practical. Nurse your baby more recurrently. Boost your baby every 1 - and - 1 / 2 to 2 - and - 1 / 2 hours. For the bilirubin is carried out of the body in the stools, passing frequent bowel movements ( BMs ) is fortunate. Frequent weight checks are also important. If you must supplement, use formula.

Type 4. Breast - milk jaundice:

Cause: Breast - milk jaundice occurs in 1 % to 2 % of breast - fed babies. It is caused by a special substance that some mothers produce in their milk. This substance causes your baby ' s intestine to absorb more bilirubin back into his body than average. It is not harmful.

Treatment: The bilirubin level can be hard up by alternating each breast - feeding with formula feeding for 2 or 3 days. Whenever you miss a nursing, be actual to use a breast pump to keep your milk production flowing. You do not need to stop breast - feeding permanently over of breast milk jaundice. Once the jaundice clears, you can return to full breast - feeding and not trouble about the jaundice coming back.