Causes and treatment of jaundice in infants

Some babies will show symptoms of high bile contentment after birth. When a baby shows high bile contentment, parents should pay attention. Once parents find that their children have symptoms of high bile contentment, they must not simply avoid it. Instead, they should treat the symptom of high bile contentment correctly and actively treat it. Below we will introduce in detail the causes and treatments of high jaundice in infants.

Causes

1. Excessive production of bilirubin

Due to excessive destruction of red blood cells and increased enterohepatic circulation, serum unconjugated bilirubin increases. Common causes include: polycythemia, extravascular hemolysis, alloimmune hemolysis, infection, increased enterohepatic circulation, erythrocyte enzyme deficiency, abnormal erythrocyte morphology, and hemoglobinopathy.

2. Hepatic bilirubin metabolism disorder

Due to the low function of liver cells to absorb and bind bilirubin, the serum unconjugated bilirubin increases. Common causes include: hypoxia and infection, Crigler-Najjar syndrome, Gilbert syndrome, Lucey-Driscoll syndrome, drugs (such as sulfonamides, salicylates, indomethacin, lanolin, etc.), and congenital hypothyroidism.

3. Bile excretion disorder

Impairment in the excretion of conjugated bilirubin by hepatocytes or obstruction of the bile duct can lead to hyperconjugated bilirubinemia, but if accompanied by impaired hepatocyte function, unconjugated bilirubin may also increase. Common causes include: neonatal hepatitis, congenital metabolic defects, and bile duct obstruction.

Light therapy

It is a simple and effective method to reduce serum unconjugated bilirubin. Place the newborn baby in a phototherapy box, protect both eyes with black eye masks to avoid damaging the retina, cover the perineum and anus with a diaper, and leave the rest of the body exposed. Use single-sided or double-sided light irradiation for 2 to 48 hours (generally not more than 4 days). Treatment can be stopped when bilirubin drops below 7 mg/dL.

2. Exchange blood therapy

Exchange transfusion can effectively reduce bilirubin, replace sensitized red blood cells and alleviate anemia. However, blood transfusion requires certain conditions and may also produce some adverse reactions, so the indications should be strictly followed.

3. Medication

Give albumin, correct metabolic acidosis, liver enzyme inducers (eg, phenobarbital), and IV immune globulin.

In the above, we have introduced in detail the causes and treatments of infantile jaundice. If your child shows symptoms of infantile jaundice, parents must not ignore it. They should actively seek treatment and not leave any regrets.