What causes high jaundice in newborn babies?
Jan 02, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
High jaundice in newborns may be caused by normal physiological phenomena, maternal-infant blood type incompatibility, infections, polycythemia, biliary obstruction, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. During treatment, close adherence to the doctor's recommendations is essential, along with careful monitoring of the infant's condition changes, to ensure the baby's health and safety.
Generally, high jaundice in newborns may be caused by normal physiological phenomena, maternal-infant blood type incompatibility, infection, polycythemia, biliary obstruction, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a professional physician. Specific analysis is as follows:
1. Normal phenomenon
Due to immature liver development in infants, poor metabolism of bilirubin occurs, which typically peaks 2 to 4 days after birth and then gradually subsides. This is a normal physiological process that usually does not require special treatment. Exposing the infant to moderate sunlight may also help alleviate jaundice.
2. Maternal-infant blood type incompatibility
If there is blood type incompatibility between mother and infant, antibodies produced by the mother can enter the infant's body and react with the infant’s red blood cells, leading to increased red blood cell destruction and subsequent hemolysis. Hemolysis overwhelms the liver’s ability to process the excess bilirubin, causing a rapid rise in bilirubin levels and resulting in jaundice. Feeding the infant more breast milk or formula can promote intestinal motility and facilitate faster elimination of bilirubin from the body.
3. Infection
If the mother is infected with a virus during pregnancy, the infant may also suffer viral or bacterial infection, impairing liver function and reducing the liver’s capacity to process bilirubin. This leads to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood and the appearance of jaundice. Phototherapy using blue light can help convert bilirubin into substances that are easier to excrete, thereby relieving symptoms.
4. Polycythemia
If one or both parents have polycythemia, the infant may inherit the genetic predisposition, leading to increased production of bilirubin and consequently higher levels of jaundice. Under medical supervision, medications such as enteric-coated aspirin tablets, dipyridamole tablets, or amoxicillin granules may be used to alleviate symptoms.
5. Biliary obstruction
Narrowing or blockage of the biliary system can prevent bile from draining normally. When bile cannot be excreted properly, bilirubin accumulates in the bloodstream, leading to elevated bilirubin levels and jaundice. For severe biliary obstruction, medications such as Yinzhihuang granules, ademetionine disulfate tosylate enteric-coated tablets, or glucurolactone tablets may be used as directed by a physician to relieve symptoms.
During treatment, it is essential to closely follow the doctor’s recommendations and carefully monitor changes in the infant’s condition to ensure health and safety.
