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A fiber-optic blanket may also be placed underneath your baby. In phototherapy, your baby will be placed on a special bed under a blue spectrum light while wearing only a diaper and special protective goggles. Phototherapy (light therapy) is a common and highly effective method of treatment that uses light to break down bilirubin in your baby’s body. More severe jaundice may require other treatments. Frequent feedings (at least 8 times a day) will help babies pass bilirubin through their bodies. Mild jaundice will usually resolve on its own as a baby’s liver matures. Your baby feeds poorly, appears listless or lethargic, and makes high-pitched cries.Your baby develops a fever over 100☏ (38☌).Jaundice spreads or becomes more intense.Once you’re home, contact your doctor if you notice the following symptoms: But they can still develop the physiological form, leading to complications. If the baby has not developed jaundice within 72 hours of delivery, they’re less likely to have the pathological form. In the United States, many hospitals discharge birthing parents and newborns after 24-48 hours before jaundice may become very apparent. This can, in turn, progress to kernicterus, which is permanent brain damage. If untreated, severe newborn jaundiced can lead to acute bilirubin encephalopathy, which is caused by the toxic levels of bilirubin in the brain.Ī baby may get a fever, act listless and lethargic, have a shrill cry, refuse to feed, and curve their neck and body backward. If you have concerns or are unsure, contact your baby’s doctor, particularly if the whites of their eyes look yellow. Share on Pinterest Laura Dwight / Alamy Stock Photo Pathological jaundice can also be caused by certain medications, such as certain antibiotics. breastfeeding jaundice, which can happen if the baby isn’t feeding well.breastmilk jaundice, which is a reaction to substances in the milk.conditions that affect how the body processes bilirubin like Gilbert’s syndrome and Crigler-Najjar syndrome.breakdown of red blood cells (hemolysis).blood type incompatibilities such as rhesus factor (Rh) or ABO.This type may show up in the first 24 hours after birth. On the other hand, pathological jaundice means that there is another underlying condition that’s causing a problem with filtering out bilirubin. This type typically develops in a few days and clears up on its own in a few weeks when the breakdown of red blood cells slows and liver function improves. This just means the baby’s metabolism cannot clear out bilirubin as quickly as it is produced. Physiological jaundice is the most common, accounting for 75% of cases. There are two types of newborn jaundice: physiological and pathological. However, a newborn’s still-developing liver may not be mature enough to do this. In older babies and adults, the liver processes bilirubin, passing it through the intestinal tract. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced during the typical breakdown of red blood cells.
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