by Dr Pandula Siribaddana

Created on: January 11, 2010

What is ‘jaundice’?

Jaundice is a condition in which the skin color as well as the color of the mucus membranes of a person appears yellow. The sign can be readily visible in the ‘whites of the eye’ or in the sclera, more than in the skin. The relationship of this condition to the newborns is its increased prevalence and lifelong complications that it might signify in a newborn baby.

How does jaundice occur?

The underlying pathology behind the occurrence of jaundice in a newborn could be of three folds. Firstly, it can be due to increased breakdown of red cells in the newborn period, immature functioning of the liver cells, structural deformities in the liver or else dehydration which could occur in the initial phase of feeding a newborn. In each of these instances, a substance known as bilirubin gets accumulated in the blood in its un-conjugated form which can lead to the skin discoloration.

What are its complications?

The danger in this condition would be the ability by the bilirubin to penetrate a protective mechanism in the brain known as the ‘blood brain barrier’ and thus deposit itself in cells of the brain and cause damage. Such damage can lead to lasting neurological defects and the incidence of this complication would depend on the level of blood bilirubin levels.

What is the importance of knowing about the condition?

In many instances, the jaundice would become apparent after the first 24 to 48 hours and by this time a baby would have been sent home from the hospital. If the parents are not aware about the possible appearance of jaundice as well as the methods that can reduce its onset, it could mean unnecessary hospitalizations or else improper or neglected treatment that can lead to dreadful complications. Therefore, knowing the methods that can be used at home to reduce the incidence of jaundice will not only prevent unnecessary admissions, but, will also avoid progression of the problem in to more severe states.

Following are some of the measures that can be taken in order to prevent the occurrence or the progression of jaundice in newborn infants.

What can be done at home?

*Exposure to early morning sun light

The rays in the suns light seem to have the ability to convert bilirubin in the blood or in the tissues into a different substance which would not be dangerous as the un-conjugated bilirubin. Therefore, exposing the baby to the sun’s rays in the morning would give the benefit of removing the accumulated bilirubin and thus prevent the progression in to a worse scenario.

*Adequate feeding

Prevention of dehydration is an important aspect of the management of jaundice as it can worsen the cell breakage, conjugation taking place at the liver as well as poor immunity. Thus, these babies should be breast fed and if your pediatrician suggests giving more liquids, you may have to introduce formula milk or more frequent breast feeding.

It is a fact that breast fed babies are more susceptible in developing jaundice, but, the underlying cause for this would be inadequate nursing rather than the breast milk.

By making use of above methods, or even in its absence, if the jaundice persists even after several days, you need the baby to be seen by a pediatrician in order to follow up and assess the necessity of further treatment.

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