How to prevent jaundice

Some parents will find jaundice on their newborns not long after they are born. They will feel very anxious and afraid that it will affect their baby's health. In fact, prevention is necessary at this time. You must stay calm and carry out targeted treatment according to the symptoms of jaundice that the baby has. Generally speaking, physiological causes can disappear in a short time.

1. Regardless of the cause of jaundice, the patient needs to rest. Eliminate the patient's anxiety and continue to provide comfort and guidance. Explain to patients the knowledge and precautions related to jaundice, and encourage them to build confidence and get through the jaundice period.

2. The diet should be easily digestible, vitamin-rich, and low-fat. The protein supply should depend on the liver function. People with ascites should limit their sodium and water intake. Patients with jaundice should quit smoking and drinking.

3. Observe the color, depth, duration, and whether the yellowing of the skin is progressive. Pay attention to the color of your urine and stool.

4. Those suspected of having jaundice caused by viral hepatitis should be isolated as soon as possible, and their daily necessities, syringes, etc. should be properly handled to prevent cross infection.

5. People with itchy skin should pay attention to skin cleanliness, bathe or sponge with warm water every day, apply calamine lotion or other antipruritic agents topically, or take oral anticholesterol antipruritic drugs as prescribed by the doctor. Keep your nails short to avoid scratching your skin.

(II) Neonatal jaundice care

1. Observe the onset time and degree of skin and scleral jaundice, and monitor serum bilirubin concentration.

2. Observe for screaming-like crying, bulging anterior fontanelle, convulsions, increased muscle tone, opisthotonos, and bilirubin index 20mg/dl to determine whether kernicterus occurs.

3. Symptomatic treatment

(1) When serum bilirubin is >10 mg/dl, phototherapy should be given as directed by the doctor.

(2) If a child has convulsions due to bilirubin encephalopathy, follow routine convulsion care procedures.

4. General care

(1) Follow the general care routine for newborns.

(2) Feed as early as possible to stimulate intestinal motility and promote the excretion of bilirubin in the meconium.

(3) Observe the number and nature of urination and defecation.

(4) For infants with breast milk jaundice, breastfeeding should be suspended for 1-4 days or breastfeeding should be changed to alternate times, and then resumed after the jaundice subsides.