Does neonatal jaundice require treatment?

Does neonatal jaundice require treatment?

Whether neonatal jaundice needs treatment depends on whether it is physiological jaundice or pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice can return to normal after a period of time and generally does not require treatment. However, if it is pathological jaundice, it may cause kernicterus, which is very harmful to the baby's health. Pathological jaundice requires active treatment.

1. Does neonatal jaundice require treatment?

Neonatal jaundice can be divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Among them, physiological jaundice can basically disappear two weeks after the baby is born. Physiological jaundice in premature infants can last for a long time, but it can return to normal after 3 to 4 weeks and generally does not require treatment. But if it is pathological jaundice, you should pay attention.

Pathological jaundice can appear within 24 hours after the baby is born. The yellow infection is relatively serious and the disease progresses rapidly. Pathological jaundice is very harmful to the baby's body and can cause kernicterus, which can damage the baby's nervous system and may even lead to death. Once pathological jaundice occurs, parents must send the baby to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment in time.

2. How to treat neonatal jaundice?

1. Light therapy

Phototherapy is one of the most commonly used methods to treat neonatal jaundice. It uses ultraviolet light to convert bilirubin into a substance that is more easily excreted by the baby, thereby achieving the therapeutic effect.

2. Exchange blood therapy

If the neonatal jaundice is very severe and the bilirubin level does not decrease after phototherapy, exchange transfusion therapy should be considered. However, exchange transfusion therapy may cause some adverse reactions during the operation, so it needs to be strictly performed by professional doctors.

3. Medication

Neonatal jaundice can also be treated with drugs. Liver enzyme inducers are commonly used in the clinic to treat neonatal jaundice, and intravenous immunoglobulin can also be used. In terms of traditional Chinese medicine, the commonly used drugs are oral Junchenhuang or Junchenhao decoction.

4. Other treatments

In addition to the above treatments, other methods can be used to help your baby reduce jaundice, such as feeding your baby enough breast milk or formula milk to promote your baby's bowel movements.