What causes high jaundice in newborn babies?
Sep 28, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xie Zixing
Introduction
High jaundice in newborns may be caused by physiological factors. Newborn infants have relatively weak hepatic cell capacity to process bilirubin, and increased bilirubin reabsorption commonly leads to elevated jaundice. Additionally, pathological conditions such as neonatal sepsis and hemolytic disease of the newborn can cause increased destruction of red blood cells in the bloodstream, which also typically results in high jaundice levels.
Elevated jaundice in newborn infants may be due to physiological factors or pathological factors, such as neonatal sepsis or hemolytic disease of the newborn.
1. Physiological factors
Newborn infants have relatively weak hepatic cell capacity for processing bilirubin, and their plasma albumin has a limited ability to bind bilirubin. This typically leads to increased reabsorption of bilirubin, resulting in jaundice. This type is usually physiological and does not require specific treatment.
2. Neonatal sepsis
Newborns' bodily functions are not yet fully developed, making them susceptible to bacterial or fungal infections that can lead to neonatal sepsis. This condition damages red blood cells in the bloodstream, increasing red blood cell destruction and causing symptoms such as fever, jaundice, abdominal distension, and breathing difficulties.
3. Hemolytic disease of the newborn
If there is a blood type incompatibility between mother and infant, it can easily trigger alloimmune hemolysis in the newborn, leading to increased destruction of red blood cells and excessive bilirubin production. This results in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, which commonly manifests as significantly elevated jaundice.
