What does it mean when a baby has jaundice?

Nov 28, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, infant jaundice refers to neonatal jaundice. During the neonatal period, abnormal bilirubin metabolism leads to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood, resulting in a condition characterized by yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. When a newborn has jaundice, close observation of skin yellowing is necessary. Appropriate increased sun exposure and more frequent feedings can help promote bilirubin excretion. In severe cases, timely medical attention is required.

Generally speaking, infant jaundice refers to neonatal jaundice. During the neonatal period, due to abnormal bilirubin metabolism, elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood lead to a condition characterized by yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. A detailed analysis is as follows:

Newborns develop jaundice mainly because, during the fetal period, they produce a greater number of red blood cells to meet oxygen supply requirements. After birth, once pulmonary respiration is established and oxygen supply becomes sufficient, excessive red blood cells are destroyed, releasing large amounts of bilirubin. Additionally, the liver function of newborns is not yet fully developed, resulting in limited capacity for bilirubin metabolism and excretion, thus preventing timely elimination of excessive bilirubin from the body. Moreover, some specific conditions may also exacerbate jaundice, such as hemolytic jaundice caused by blood group incompatibility between mother and child, infections, prematurity, etc.

Jaundice can be classified into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice generally appears 2–3 days after birth, peaks at 4–6 days, and subsides within 7–10 days. Physiological jaundice typically does not require special treatment and can be managed by enhancing feeding to promote frequent bowel movements in the newborn, thereby facilitating bilirubin excretion. In contrast, pathological jaundice appears earlier, is more severe, and progresses rapidly; jaundice may appear within 24 hours after birth and lasts for a prolonged period. In such cases, prompt treatment is required. Under a physician's guidance, medications such as Yin Zhi Huang oral liquid, sodium phenobarbital injection, and Bacillus subtilis bifidobacterium live capsules may be used to prevent bilirubin levels from becoming excessively high and causing neurological damage to the newborn.

Close observation of skin yellowing is necessary for neonatal jaundice. Appropriate increased sun exposure and more frequent feedings can help promote bilirubin excretion; in severe cases, prompt medical attention is required.

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