What are the symptoms of neonatal pathological jaundice?

Neonatal pathological jaundice often manifests as jaundice within 24 hours after birth, jaundice gradually extending to the whole body, and a significant increase in serum bilirubin, accompanied by symptoms such as mental depression and loss of appetite. Medical diagnosis and treatment should be sought in a timely manner. Pathological jaundice may involve abnormal bilirubin metabolism, infection, hemolysis and other causes. Professional evaluation is required to identify the cause and take targeted treatment measures.

1. Time and extent of jaundice

If jaundice appears within 24 hours after birth, or the jaundice quickly spreads from the face to the whole body, especially when the soles of the hands and feet turn yellow, it often indicates pathological jaundice, which is related to the insufficient ability of the newborn liver to process bilirubin or other diseases. In this case, you should go to the hospital in time to check serum bilirubin and other tests to determine whether it is pathological jaundice.

2Common associated symptoms

Pathological jaundice is often accompanied by obvious systemic symptoms, such as persistent mental depression, drowsiness, decreased appetite, and even slow reaction and decreased muscle tone. In severe cases, bilirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus may occur, which can manifest as convulsions, screaming, and even coma, which are life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

3 Potential Cause Analysis

①Genetic factors: Certain neonatal genetic diseases, such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase G6PD deficiency, can cause bilirubin metabolism disorders.

②Infection and inflammation: Neonatal infections such as sepsis or intrauterine infection may cause jaundice.

③Hemolysis: Hemolysis caused by blood type incompatibility between mother and fetus, such as ABO or Rh blood type incompatibility, is one of the most common causes of pathological jaundice.

④Abnormal liver function: Biliary atresia and other bile excretion disorders are also one of the causes.

4 Treatment methods

Treating the cause is key:

① Phototherapy: Phototherapy is the most common treatment method and can accelerate the metabolism of bilirubin.

② Exchange transfusion therapy: Severe pathological jaundice requires exchange transfusion therapy to quickly reduce serum bilirubin levels.

③Drug treatment: If jaundice is caused by infection, antibiotics can be used to eliminate the infection.

Complications are also managed to ensure early detection and intervention.

Early detection and treatment are the key to dealing with neonatal pathological jaundice. If jaundice is found within 24 hours after birth or rapidly worsens, the newborn can be taken to receive professional diagnosis and treatment immediately to avoid serious complications such as bilirubin encephalopathy. Paying attention to prenatal and postnatal examinations can effectively reduce the risk of pathological jaundice.