What are the hazards of excessive jaundice in newborns?

Excessive neonatal jaundice may cause acute bilirubin encephalopathy or develop into kernicterus, which can cause brain damage or even endanger life in severe cases, so timely intervention is required. Effective management such as phototherapy, exchange transfusion therapy and drug therapy should be used to control bilirubin levels and reduce health risks.

1. Causes of excessive neonatal jaundice

The main cause of neonatal jaundice is the accumulation of bilirubin in the body. Normal physiological jaundice is usually related to the incomplete development of the liver function of the newborn, resulting in insufficient bilirubin metabolism. However, if the bilirubin level exceeds the standard, the following may be the cause:

Genetic factors: Congenital diseases such as Gilbert syndrome and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency can affect bilirubin metabolism.

Environmental factors: Lack of feeding after birth or insufficient breast milk intake may lead to a decrease in the ability to excrete bilirubin.

Physiological and pathological factors: Traumatic hemolysis caused by delivery, maternal-fetal blood type incompatibility, or bacterial infections such as sepsis increase the risk of hemolysis, thereby causing a rapid increase in bilirubin levels.

2. The harm of excessive jaundice in newborns

Acute bilirubin encephalopathy: If bilirubin enters the brain, it can have toxic effects on the central nervous system, manifesting as lethargy, weak crying, and even convulsions.

Kernicterus: Long-term excessive bilirubin can easily lead to kernicterus, a very serious brain damage that can cause movement disorders, hearing loss, and even intellectual disabilities. Severe kernicterus can also be life-threatening.

Sequelae: Some patients with unmanaged hyperbilirubinemia may develop neurodevelopmental problems such as inattention and delayed language development in the later stages.

3. Treatment of excessive neonatal jaundice

Phototherapy: This is a safe and common treatment method that breaks down bilirubin through exposure to special blue light, speeding up its excretion.

Exchange transfusion: For severe hyperbilirubinemia, your doctor may consider exchange transfusion to quickly lower bilirubin levels by replacing fresh blood.

Drug treatment: Surfactant or intravenous immunoglobulin can be used to reduce the risk of hemolysis and promote bilirubin metabolism.

Dietary adjustments: Increase the frequency of breastfeeding to help babies excrete metabolic waste faster and improve the excretion efficiency of bilirubin.

We should pay great attention to neonatal jaundice. Early detection and intervention can effectively avoid potential complications. Parents should closely observe changes in the skin color of newborns. If they find that the jaundice is gradually getting worse or accompanied by abnormal symptoms such as drowsiness and weak crying, they should seek medical attention immediately to ensure the healthy and safe growth of the baby.