What is the normal value of jaundice in a 10-day-old child?

Newborn babies are prone to jaundice, which is often divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. So what are the causes of jaundice and what is the normal range? The editor will answer your questions here.

Causes of jaundice in 10-day-old babies

1. Excessive bilirubin production

(1) Excessive destruction of red blood cells: The fetus is in a low-oxygen environment in the mother's womb, and the red blood cells increase in compensation, but their lifespan is short. After birth, the blood oxygen content increases and the excessive red blood cells are quickly destroyed.

(2) High heme oxygenase content: The content is high within 7 days after birth, and the potential for producing bilirubin is high.

2. Immature liver function

(1) Poor liver ability to absorb bilirubin: Insufficient levels of Y and Z proteins in liver cells result in insufficient liver absorption of bilirubin.

(2) Poor liver function of conjugating bilirubin: The content of glucuronyl transferase in the liver is low and its activity is insufficient, resulting in poor function of forming conjugated bilirubin.

(3) Poor liver excretion of bilirubin: Poor liver excretion of conjugated bilirubin can easily lead to cholestasis.

3. Characteristics of enterohepatic circulation: When a newborn is born, the normal intestinal flora has not yet been established and cannot convert the bilirubin entering the intestine into urobilinogen (fecal bilirubin).

Types and values ​​of jaundice in 10-day-old babies

1. Physiological jaundice

Usually, two days after birth, the newborn's skin is visibly a little yellow, which reaches its peak at 3 to 5 days and most of the time disappears at 7 to 10 days. At this time, the jaundice index (serum bilirubin value) is generally within the normal range of no more than 15 mg/dL.

2. Pathological jaundice

There are many causes of pathological jaundice. The criteria for full-term and premature babies are different. If the mother finds the following conditions, she should send the baby to the hospital for observation:

1. If jaundice is found in a newborn within 24 hours after birth, it is called "early jaundice".

2. The jaundice index rises too high all of a sudden, increasing by more than 5 mg/dL a day. This is a common type of jaundice (the blood types of the mother and baby are incompatible).

3. The jaundice index is too high, at 15mg/dL.

4. It lasts too long. Generally, physiological jaundice lasts for 7 to 10 days. If it lasts for more than two weeks, you should pay attention.