What causes neonatal jaundice? Does it need treatment?

Neonatal jaundice is usually caused by abnormal bilirubin metabolism due to immature liver function. Some types resolve on their own without treatment, but others may require treatment with light, drugs, or even exchange transfusion, depending on the cause.

1. Genetic factors

Newborns with a family history of liver disease or bilirubin metabolism disorders may be more susceptible to jaundice. For example, "Gilbert syndrome" is an inherited metabolic disorder that causes jaundice due to the liver's poor ability to process bilirubin. This condition can be diagnosed by newborn screening or blood tests. Mild patients usually do not need treatment, but severe cases require doctor's guidance.

2. Environmental factors

A high ambient temperature or improper feeding, such as dehydration or malnutrition in the newborn, may also aggravate jaundice symptoms. Although "breast milk jaundice" in breastfeeding is rare, it is related to the composition of breast milk and usually worsens on the 4th to 7th day after birth. At this time, the feeding frequency should be adjusted, the intake should be increased, and the degree of jaundice in the baby should be closely observed.

3. Physiological factors

Most neonatal jaundice is "physiological jaundice", which usually appears 2-3 days after birth, reaches its peak 4-7 days after birth, and disappears on its own in 1-2 weeks. This type of jaundice is mainly because the neonatal liver is not yet fully developed and is not fast enough to break down and remove excess bilirubin in the body. No special treatment is required for this type of jaundice, and regular follow-up observation is sufficient.

4. Pathological factors

Pathological jaundice often appears within 24 hours of birth, or lasts longer, and is even accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy, dark yellow urine, anemia, etc. Common causes include hemolytic diseases such as maternal and fetal blood type incompatibility, infectious diseases such as sepsis, metabolic abnormalities, etc. This type of jaundice requires medical intervention, and treatment methods include phototherapy with blue light to degrade bilirubin, intravenous immunoglobulin, and blood transfusion therapy for severe cases.

5. Trauma

Birth injuries during delivery, such as head hematoma, may cause local blood collapse, increase bilirubin levels and cause jaundice. In such cases, observation, external application or surgery are selected according to the severity.

Parents need to pay attention to neonatal jaundice and observe carefully. If the jaundice is mild and the mental state is normal, bilirubin excretion can be promoted by strengthening feeding; if accompanied by drowsiness, jaundice extends to the limbs, or lasts for more than 2 weeks, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible.

There are many causes of neonatal jaundice, and whether to treat it depends on the cause. Parents should remain vigilant and seek timely treatment to ensure the healthy growth of their babies.