What to do if your newborn baby has jaundice

Jaundice is a common disease among newborns. The occurrence of jaundice always makes parents particularly worried. The most obvious manifestation of jaundice is that the skin of the newborn becomes particularly yellow. In fact, the symptoms of jaundice are different, and the causes are different. Some jaundice will disappear on its own, but some jaundice, if not treated in time, will have a certain impact on the baby's digestive ability. So let's find out what to do if your newborn baby has jaundice?

What to do if your newborn baby has jaundice

1. Light therapy

Place the newborn naked under ultraviolet light. You can choose to have light irradiated on one side or on both sides at the same time. During treatment, the eyes need to be shielded to avoid damage to the retina, and the genitals and anus need to be covered with diapers. Under the action of ultraviolet rays, excess bilirubin in the body will be converted into certain water-soluble substances and excreted in urine. This method can reduce the bilirubin level in newborns to 7 mg/L. Alternatively, a jaundice blanket device (shaped like a blanket) may be used to wrap the newborn baby for light therapy, which can achieve the same effect.

Precautions

(1) This therapy should generally not be used continuously for more than 4 days. If the patient does not recover within 4 days, blood transfusion therapy should be considered.

(2) The main side effects are rash and diarrhea, which can return to normal after treatment.

2. Exchange blood therapy

This is the first aid measure for children with severe hemolytic jaundice. How this therapy works:

(1) It can eliminate immune antibodies from the body;

(2) Reduce the level of bilirubin in the blood;

(3) Improve a series of adverse effects caused by hemolysis, such as anemia and insufficient oxygen supply.

3. Bilirubin reabsorption prevention method

Giving newborns breast milk helps them build their own probiotic flora in the digestive tract. These beneficial bacteria can break down bilirubin and excrete it from the body through feces. Or give newborns oral activated charcoal to prevent bilirubin reabsorption, this method should be used in combination with light therapy.

4. Enzyme inducer therapy

Typical enzyme inducers, such as phenobarbital, can stimulate the function of liver cells and convert bilirubin from a free state to a bound state. The therapeutic effect is better when used in combination with chloramine. Note: If jaundice lasts for a long time and the condition is serious, the possibility of pathological jaundice should be considered, the baby should receive phototherapy and take further physical examination.

5. Albumin

Albumin absorbs free bilirubin in the blood and prevents it from binding to brain cells. This therapy is effective in treating kernicterus.

6. Adrenal cortex hormone

This type of product hinders the binding of antigens and antibodies, thereby reducing hemolysis. At the same time, it enhances the activity of liver glucuronyl transferase and accelerates the glucuronidation of bilirubin. Prednisone can be taken orally or hydrocortisone can be given intravenously. Because of its many side effects, it should be reduced or stopped once the condition improves. Not recommended for use with light therapy. Given the anti-immune effects of this type of drug, infected people should use it with caution.

7. Chinese medicine

Such as Xiaohuangli Granules, Sanhuang Decoction and other medicines.

The above is an introduction to what to do if a newborn baby has jaundice. After understanding it, we know that there are many ways to treat baby jaundice, but when parents choose a method, they must choose it based on the baby’s own situation. Because some jaundice can disappear on its own, there is no need for treatment. Therefore, when treating newborn baby jaundice, you must listen more to the doctor’s advice.