What are the dangers of high jaundice in children?

Jaundice in children is a common condition. Newborn babies produce more bilirubin but their liver function is not yet mature, which can cause jaundice. However, under normal circumstances, jaundice in children will disappear quickly after a period of time. However, some pathological jaundice requires attention, as it may cause physical effects on the baby. Moreover, if the jaundice is too high, it will also be a torture for the child. So what are the dangers of high jaundice in children?

1. The harm of pediatric jaundice to children

1. There are many causes of jaundice in children. For example, hemolytic disease in children, spherocytosis in children, perinatal diseases in children, etc. can cause hyperbilirubinemia and bilirubin encephalopathy, as well as anemia, hypoxia and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. These diseases and pathological changes can lead to brain damage in the fetus and children, and then lead to cerebral palsy.

2. Bilirubin encephalopathy is caused by hyperbilirubinemia and various pediatric diseases in children. For example, premature birth, infection, hypoxia, acidosis, etc. can cause bilirubin encephalopathy in children, which can cause serious brain damage and is an important cause of cerebellar palsy in children. Premature birth, infection, hypoxia, etc. can also cause or be combined with brain malformations, brain development disorders and brain damage, which may also lead to cerebral palsy in children.

3. Whether the various treatment measures for hyperbilirubinemia in children are used in a timely and correct manner may lead to unbalanced control of jaundice, or even aggravate jaundice, leading to the occurrence and aggravation of bilirubin encephalopathy. Therefore, inappropriate treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in children is also a cause of cerebral palsy in children.

2. Treatment Methods

1. Light therapy

It is a simple and effective method to reduce serum unconjugated bilirubin. Unconjugated bilirubin can produce conformational isomers, structural isomers and photooxidation products after exposure to light. Among them, the formation of structural isomers is the most important. It can be quickly excreted from bile and urine without being metabolized by the liver. It is the main reason why phototherapy reduces total serum bilirubin.

The most commonly used method in China is blue light irradiation. 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). Continuous or intermittent irradiation can be used until the bilirubin drops below 7 mg/dL and the treatment can be stopped.

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 and it is generally used when phototherapy fails.

3. Medication

Use drugs to reduce bilirubin production, accelerate bilirubin clearance, or inhibit bilirubin enterohepatic circulation, including supplying albumin, correcting metabolic acidosis, liver enzyme inducers (such as phenobarbital), and intravenous immunoglobulin.