Melissa Watts

Mrs. Thoryk

Health Science

22 March 2017

Jaundice

Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes. It is common in infants, but can

also occur in adults. It occurs in premature babies, or babies born before 38 weeks gestation, and

breast-fed babies. It occurs when the blood contains an excess of bilirubin, which is the yellow

pigment in red blood cells. The babys liver is not mature enough to get rid of the excess

bilirubin quick enough.

There are many causes of jaundice. The main cause is excess bilirubin. Bilirubin is the

pigment released during the breakdown of used red blood cells. The liver usually filters it out,

but the liver of a baby is not mature enough to keep up. Other causes include internal bleeding- a

hemorrhage-, an infection in the blood, the incompatibility of the mother's blood and the babys

blood, and the liver can malfunction. Also an enzyme deficiency, the abnormality of red blood

cells causing them to break, and other viral or bacterial infections can cause jaundice.

Most symptoms include the yellowing of the skin or eyes, and this usually occurs

between the second and fourth day after birth. Some other symptoms include drowsiness, itchy

skin, poor sucking or feeding, and pale stools. Regular stool color ranges from green to yellow.

Another symptom is dark urine; a babies urine should be colorless. Parents should call the doctor

if the skin becomes more yellow or if it is yellow of the arms, legs, and abdomen. Also if the
baby seems sick or difficult to wake up, is gaining weight or is feeding poorly, or if they make

high-pitched cries. If it lasts more than three weeks, call the doctor.

There are three main ways jaundice is treated. One way is light therapy. The baby is

placed under a special lighting in just a diaper and protective eyewear. The light changes the

shape and structure of the bilirubin molecules. The bilirubin is then excreted in the urine and

stool. The light is not ultraviolet, it only emits light in the blue to green spectrum. Also instead

they can use a light-emitting pad or mattress. There is also a blanket parents can take home and

wrap the baby in it. This reduces the cost of hospital bills. Another way to treat jaundice is

intravenous immunoglobulin. They use this when it is caused by the blood difference of the

mother and baby. The baby carries antibodies from the mother that contributes to the breakdown

of the babys blood cells. Transfusing immunoglobulin decreases jaundice and lessens the need

for a blood transfusion. A blood transfusion is used for severe jaundice. This is performed in a

newborn intensive care unit. They repeatedly withdraw small amounts of blood which dilutes the

bilirubin, then transfuse the blood back in.

The treatment depends on the severity of the jaundice. Most hospitals check for jaundice

before discharge, but they should be checked between the third and seventh day after birth when

the levels of bilirubin peak. It is recommended newborns be checked during routine medical

checks and every eight to twelve hours in the hospital. Jaundice is common in infants and

appears between the third and seventh day after birth. The main cause of jaundice are high levels

of bilirubin because the baby's immature lung cannot keep up and results in the excess. Parents

and doctors must keep a sharp eye out for this and catch it as soon as possible.
 Work Cited

Mayo Clinic Staff. Infant Jaundice. MayoClinic.