NEONATAL JAUNDICE
“Infant jaundice is a yellow discoloration in a newborn baby's skin and eyes. It occurs when a baby has a high level of bilirubin in the blood.
Normally, jaundice appears on about 4th day, and lasts for 5 days in term infants and about 7 days in preterm infants, when there is rapid rise in serum bilirubin to 12 – 15 mg% respectively.
A decline to about 2 mg% occurs which lasts for up to 14 days after which normal values are reached. This phase may also last for more than one month in preterm infants and those with exclusive breast feeding. Stool also contains bile pigments.”
There is no required intervention as it goes away on its own, unless any of the following causes are seen:
Normally, jaundice appears on about 4th day, and lasts for 5 days in term infants and about 7 days in preterm infants, when there is rapid rise in serum bilirubin to 12 – 15 mg% respectively.
A decline to about 2 mg% occurs which lasts for up to 14 days after which normal values are reached. This phase may also last for more than one month in preterm infants and those with exclusive breast feeding. Stool also contains bile pigments.”
There is no required intervention as it goes away on its own, unless any of the following causes are seen:
- Rh incompatibility (seen in mothers with negative blood group)
- Enclosed hemorrhage cephalhematoma
- Infants of diabetic mother
- Polycythemia (excess of red blood cells present in the body)
- Hepatitis in mother during pregnancy
- Congenital blood disorders
- Congenital atresia of bile ducts
- Errors of metabolism
- Sepsis
- Jaundice due to infection
How to identify the difference between physiological (normal) jaundice and pathological (abnormal) jaundice?
As mentioned above, physiological jaundice disappears after a few days and requires no intervention. However, phototherapy or taking the baby out in early morning sunshine may help in recovering faster.
As mentioned above, physiological jaundice disappears after a few days and requires no intervention. However, phototherapy or taking the baby out in early morning sunshine may help in recovering faster.
However, in pathological jaundice certain signs and symptoms are seen along with jaundice. Such as:
- Appears between 2nd to 6th day
- Lethargy, weakness
- Refusal to eat
- Shrill cry
- Transient encephalopathy: loss of cognitive function, subtle personality changes, inability to concentrate, lethargy, and depressed consciousness.
- Kernicterus: the effects range from clinically unnoticeable to severe brain damage and even death. Newborns are especially vulnerable to hyperbilirubinemia-induced neurological damage and therefore must be carefully monitored for alterations in their serum bilirubin levels.
Homeopathic Intervention in Pathological Jaundice:
Bibliography:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001559.htm
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/974786-overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonatal_jaundice
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/newborn_jaundice/page2_em.htm
http://hpathy.com/cause-symptoms-treatment/neonatal-jaundice/
http://www.homeopathyworldcommunity.com/profiles/blogs/neonatal-jaundice-and
http://www.homeopathycenter.org/homeopathy-today/newborn-babies-jaundice
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001559.htm
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/974786-overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonatal_jaundice
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/newborn_jaundice/page2_em.htm
http://hpathy.com/cause-symptoms-treatment/neonatal-jaundice/
http://www.homeopathyworldcommunity.com/profiles/blogs/neonatal-jaundice-and
http://www.homeopathycenter.org/homeopathy-today/newborn-babies-jaundice