Patient's question:
The newborn's body is entirely yellow, discovered today. The past treatment and its effects: Jaundice seems to require some assistance. I want to ask the experts about the child's condition and whether some assistance is needed...Doctor's answer:
1. Physiological jaundice is a physiological phenomenon, and the child feels no discomfort. Therefore, there is no need to panic when jaundice is detected. During this period, you can drink some glucose mixed with water. The diuretic effect of the sugar water can help expel bilirubin more quickly. Poor feeding and hunger may also alleviate or shorten physiological jaundice.2. Various acute and chronic diseases can also alleviate or shorten physiological jaundice. These diseases should be treated actively.
3. It is important to distinguish between rapidly recurring severe pathological jaundice. Carefully observe the progression of jaundice, the time of recurrence after birth, the location, changes in severity, muscle tone abnormalities, poor appetite, weakened sucking reflex, fever, vomiting, and other symptoms. If any of these symptoms reappear, do not miss the opportunity for timely treatment.
Advice: Although most cases of jaundice are treatable, if the jaundice is too severe, even leading to " kernicterus," it can cause neurological damage, motor disorders, cerebral palsy, hearing problems, and in severe cases, may even be life-threatening. Parents should closely monitor their child’s jaundice levels, but the safest approach is to have the data monitored in the hospital. Generally, if the transcutaneous bilirubin level is below 12.9 mg/dL, hospitalization for diagnosis is recommended.
Currently, the most common treatment for pathological jaundice in newborns is phototherapy. Through phototherapy, bilirubin in the body can be converted into other substances, allowing the continuously accumulating bilirubin to find an alternative exit, thereby stabilizing jaundice symptoms. Phototherapy does not interfere with liver function. Once the baby’s liver matures and can process bilirubin on its own, the condition is considered normal. However, if jaundice remains unstable after phototherapy, medication or other treatments may be necessary. If jaundice is caused by biliary atresia, surgery will be required.