What should I do if my newborn has high jaundice?

What should I do if my newborn has high jaundice?

Neonatal jaundice can be physiological jaundice or pathological jaundice. Among them, physiological jaundice is related to its own bilirubin metabolism characteristics and generally does not require special treatment. Pathological jaundice is caused by factors such as excessive bilirubin production, liver bilirubin metabolism disorders, and bile excretion disorders. Common treatment measures include phototherapy, drug therapy, exchange transfusion therapy, daily care, etc.

1. Physiological jaundice

Physiological jaundice often appears 2-3 days after birth, reaches a peak on the 4-5th day, and disappears on the 7-9th day. It usually does not exceed 2 weeks, so no special treatment is required. However, parents need to closely monitor the changes in jaundice values ​​and measure the jaundice values ​​every 1-2 days. At the same time, feeding should be strengthened. Eating more and excreting more can promote the excretion of bilirubin in the body and eliminate jaundice. If the child's jaundice value decreases slowly, intestinal probiotics can be appropriately supplemented to regulate, improve intestinal flora such as bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria, reduce the enterohepatic circulation of bilirubin binding, and promote the disappearance of jaundice.

2. Pathological jaundice

1. Phototherapy

If the child's serum bilirubin level reaches the phototherapy standard, blue light irradiation therapy can be used to accelerate the removal of bilirubin, and continuous or intermittent irradiation can be adopted according to the condition.

2. Drug treatment

Children may also receive medications, such as phenobarbital, to improve the liver cells' ability to process unconjugated bilirubin. For hypoproteinemia, albumin may be infused to bind free bilirubin and reduce the level of bilirubin in the blood.

3. Exchange blood therapy

If the serum indirect bilirubin level is too high and reaches the standard for transfusion, or if bilirubin encephalopathy such as milk refusal, adverse mental reactions, and convulsions occurs, transfusion therapy can be used.

4. Daily care

In addition to strengthening feeding, parents should also closely observe their children's mental reactions, milk intake, activities, etc., and pay attention to keeping them warm to prevent infection.

If there are neurological sequelae, active rehabilitation treatment is required. When children develop pathological jaundice, parents should seek medical attention as soon as possible to increase the cure rate.