What are the symptoms of neonatal jaundice?

When every child is born, what parents worry about most is the health problems of the child. Jaundice is the most common phenomenon among newborns, and it is always a problem that parents are particularly worried about. The usual manifestation of jaundice is that the child's skin turns yellow. Generally, the child's jaundice can disappear on its own within 7 to 14 days. If it does not disappear, treatment is required. However, in order for us to better confirm whether the child has jaundice, let us understand what the manifestations of neonatal jaundice are.

Symptoms of neonatal jaundice

1. Physiological jaundice is light yellow in mild cases and is limited to the face and neck, or spreads to the trunk. The sclera may also be yellow. It will subside after 2 to 3 days, and the skin color will return to normal on the 5th to 6th day. In severe cases, the jaundice will spread to the head first and then the feet, and the vomitus and cerebrospinal fluid may also be yellow. It may last for more than 1 week, especially for some premature infants, which may last up to 4 weeks. Their stool is still yellow and there is no bilirubin in the urine.

2. The color of jaundice is light pink in mild cases and darker in severe cases, but the skin is rosy with red in yellow.

3. Jaundice is mostly seen on the trunk, sclera and proximal limbs, usually not exceeding the elbows and knees.

4. The newborn is in general good condition, has no anemia, no hepatosplenomegaly, normal liver function, and no kernicterus.

5. Physiological jaundice is more common in premature infants than in full-term infants, and may appear slightly later by 1 to 2 days. The jaundice is more severe and disappears later, which may last up to 2 to 4 weeks.

The following points should be noted in the prevention and care of neonatal jaundice

(1) Fetal jaundice is often caused by the mother being attacked by dampness and heat, which affects the fetus, resulting in fetal jaundice after birth. Therefore, during pregnancy, the pregnant mother should pay attention to eating in moderation, not eating raw or cold food, not being too hungry or too full, and avoid drinking alcohol and spicy and hot foods to prevent damage to the spleen and stomach.

(2) If a woman has given birth to a baby with fetal jaundice, she should take preventive measures and take Chinese medicine on time when she becomes pregnant again.

(3) Closely monitor the baby’s scleral jaundice after birth. If jaundice is detected, treat it as soon as possible and observe changes in the color of the jaundice to understand the progression of the jaundice.

(4) Pay attention to observe the systemic symptoms of infants with fetal jaundice, such as lethargy, drowsiness, difficulty sucking milk, restlessness, strabismus, limb rigidity or convulsions, so as to detect and treat seriously ill children in a timely manner.

(5) Closely monitor heart rate, heart sounds, anemia level, and changes in liver size to prevent and treat heart failure at an early stage.

(6) Pay attention to keeping the baby’s skin, navel and buttocks clean to prevent damage and infection.

(7) When blood transfusion therapy is required, the air in the ward should be disinfected in a timely manner, blood and various medicines and supplies should be prepared, and the operating procedures should be strictly followed.

The above is an introduction to the manifestations of neonatal jaundice. After understanding, we know that there are many symptoms of neonatal jaundice. Jaundice is also divided into two types, one is physiological and the other is pathological. Therefore, parents must observe their babies. If the child’s jaundice does not subside for a long time, be sure to take the child to a regular hospital for examination and treatment in time.