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What is Newborn Jaundice?
It is a common condition in newborns. Jaundice makes a newborn’s skin and white
part of the eyes look yellow, and this is caused by excess
bilirubin in the blood.
Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is produced by the normal breakdown of red
blood cells. Bilirubin passes through the liver and is excreted
as bile through the intestines. During pregnancy the placenta
removes the bilirubin from the baby and it is processed by the
mother’s liver, immediately after birth, the newborn’s body must
get rid of it on its own.
Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up faster than a newborn’s liver can break
it down and pass it from the body. The reasons for this include:
- The newborn’s liver may be immature (is still developing) and may not be able to remove sufficient amount of bilirubin from the body.
- An excess amount of bilirubin is being made than the newborn’s liver can mange.
- Significant amount of bilirubin is not excreted in the stool as it is reabsorbed in the intestines.
Types of Jaundice
There are several types of jaundice, the following are the most common:
Normal (Physiological) Jaundice
This occurs on the second or third day of life in about 50% of all newborns. It
occurs due to the immaturity of the baby’s liver, the liver is slow at processing the bilirubin.
Breast Milk Jaundice
This occurs on the fourth or seventh day in about 1% to 2 % of breastfed newborns.
The mother’s breast milk may contain a substance that can cause
the bilirubin levels to rise, these substances can prevent the
passing of bilirubin through the intestine. This form on
jaundice is usually not harmful.
Jaundice from Bruising
This occurs when the newborn is born with bruises. Bruising can occur from
prolonged labor, use of forceps or vacuum to assist in the
delivery. This will increase the amount of breakdown of
red blood cells which in turn will increase the level of
bilirubin.
Jaundice in Premature Newborns
Very common in premature newborns, their organs (especially the liver and
intestines) are underdeveloped and the process of passing the
bilirubin is slow.
Blood Group Incompatibility
If a newborn has a different blood type than the mother, the mother’s body might
produce antibodies (they destroy the baby’s red blood cells).
The increase in the break up of the baby’s red blood cells
causes an excess amount of bilirubin in the baby’s body. This
form of jaundice begins in the first day of life.
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