What causes jaundice in babies?

Infant jaundice is mostly caused by abnormal bilirubin metabolism, which may include physiological jaundice, breast milk jaundice and certain pathological factors. Different causes should be treated differently. For example, physiological jaundice usually does not require special treatment, while pathological jaundice requires timely diagnosis and treatment.

1. Physiological jaundice

Most newborns will develop jaundice on the second or third day after birth. This is because the liver function is not fully developed at birth and cannot break down excessive indirect bilirubin in time. As liver function gradually matures, jaundice usually disappears naturally within one to two weeks after birth. This situation generally does not require special intervention, but parents need to observe changes in the baby. If jaundice worsens rapidly or other abnormal symptoms occur, seek medical attention.

2. Breast milk jaundice

Breast milk jaundice is caused by certain hormone components in breast milk affecting the liver function of newborns, slowing down the decomposition of bilirubin. This type of jaundice usually lasts longer on the basis of physiological jaundice, but in most cases it is harmless to the health of the baby. The management of breast milk jaundice does not require stopping breastfeeding, but only requires continuing to observe the baby's eating, bowel movements and mental state. If jaundice lasts for more than 3 weeks, a doctor should be consulted for evaluation.

3. Pathological jaundice

Pathological jaundice usually appears within 24 hours after birth, and the degree of jaundice is severe, extending to the hands and feet or accompanied by other symptoms such as feeding difficulties, drowsiness, screaming, etc. The causes may include hemolytic diseases such as neonatal ABO or Rh blood type incompatibility, infections such as neonatal sepsis, biliary atresia, etc. Treatment measures include phototherapy with blue light to help break down bilirubin, exchange transfusion therapy for severe hemolysis or surgical treatment for specific diseases. If pathological jaundice is suspected, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

4. Other possible reasons

There are a few cases of jaundice caused by genetic diseases such as Gilbert syndrome, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, etc. These diseases may affect bilirubin metabolism or hemolysis, and need to be diagnosed through genetic testing, blood tests, and long-term management after birth.

Parents need to pay close attention to the jaundice of their babies and pay attention to whether it is accompanied by other symptoms such as abnormal body temperature, vomiting or decreased vitality. Once pathological jaundice is suspected, the baby should be taken to the hospital for examination and treatment as soon as possible to prevent hyperbilirubinemia from causing damage to the nervous system.