Does high jaundice level have any effect on the baby's body? Exceeding this value may harm the brain

Most newborns will have jaundice after birth. The reason for infant jaundice is that the liver function is not perfect when the baby is just born, and it cannot eliminate substances in the body, which is a normal phenomenon. What are the effects of high jaundice on babies? Pediatric experts said that high jaundice is not good for the baby's body systems, affecting the normal function of the body and having a great impact on the brain. Kernicterus is difficult to treat and has great harm.

What impact does high jaundice have on babies?

The most serious effect of jaundice is bilirubin encephalopathy, which often occurs within 1 week after birth. The non-embracing bilirubin level continues to rise, which can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and cause major disorders in the management function of the central neural network system. Without interventional treatment, it can cause permanent damage.

If the jaundice value exceeds 20mg/dl, it should be taken seriously. The impact of the jaundice value is determined by the baby's birth time and the jaundice index. If the baby develops jaundice within 24 hours of birth, please diagnose and treat it in time. Generally, the jaundice value of newborns reaches its peak 4-6 days after birth. If the baby's jaundice still shows no signs of decreasing after a week, it is considered pathological jaundice, which may also cause brain damage.

Normal range of jaundice in infants

The normal value of jaundice in a full-term baby is different from that in a premature baby. Usually, the normal value of jaundice in a full-term child is 100mg/12.9mg, that is, the bilirubin level in 100ml of blood is less than 12.9mg. The normal value of jaundice in a premature baby is 15mg/100mL of blood, that is, the normal level of bilirubin in 100mL of blood is significantly lower than 15mg.

If the infant's jaundice value exceeds 12.9mg/dl, the infant's jaundice index is too high (increases by more than 5mh/dl per day), the jaundice lasts longer than 14 days for full-term infants, disappears within 14 days for premature infants, or the jaundice subsides and reappears, the infant's jaundice is unhealthy and may be suffering from pathological jaundice.

Differences between physiological jaundice, breast milk jaundice, and pathological jaundice

Physiological jaundice in infants: Jaundice begins to appear 2-3 days after birth, is most obvious after 4-5 days, and regresses naturally in 7-14 days. The general condition is good and there are no side effects. This is called "physiological jaundice". The liver function of premature infants is more immature, and jaundice appears later, around the 3rd or 4th day, and lasts longer. Jaundice in premature infants can last for more than 14 days.

Breast milk jaundice: Jaundice starts 4-7 days after birth and lasts for about 2 months. It is mainly characterized by elevated bilirubin levels and has no major clinical symptoms.

Infant pathological jaundice: Jaundice appears early, within 24 hours after birth. Jaundice continues, and 2-3 weeks after birth, the jaundice of the patient may continue to decrease or deepen, or decrease and then deepen. The degree of jaundice is very serious. Golden yellow or jaundice affects the whole body. The hands and feet are obviously jaundiced or the serum bilirubin exceeds 12-15mg/l. Anemia or stool has no color and gradually becomes lighter. There are symptoms such as abnormal body temperature, poor appetite, vomiting, etc.

Summary: The impact of high jaundice on the baby cannot be ignored. When jaundice reaches the level of kernicterus, it will enter the brain and cause brain damage. Serum bilirubin (342umol/L) 20mg/dL can cause kernicterus. It may affect the baby's intelligence and cause overall developmental delay. The baby's previous jaundice 311 was very high. I suggest you clarify the MRI. MRI is a relatively safe examination and has little effect on the baby. Parents should not worry. Now parents must actively assist the doctor. If there is no brain damage, it will have little effect on the baby.