What are the causes of jaundice? 5 things you need to know about jaundice

It is a common phenomenon for newborns to have jaundice, but for some severe cases of neonatal jaundice, they should be promptly treated in a regular medical institution. There are many reasons for jaundice, such as physiological reasons, hemolysis, infection, breast milk, immature liver function, etc. Parents need to pay attention to observe the changes in the color of the newborn's body.

Nowadays, many newborns will have jaundice, and neonatal jaundice is mainly divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice basically occurs in every newborn, while pathological jaundice needs to be treated in time. Many parents want to know what causes jaundice, so let's take a look at it together.

1. Physiological reasons

Many newborns may have more red blood cells in their blood and more bilirubin in their bodies as soon as they are born. This will cause physiological jaundice in newborns, but don't worry, this jaundice will disappear on its own in about a week. During this period, you can let the newborn drink more water, urinate more, and bask in the sun, which can also help to reduce jaundice.

2. Breastfeeding reasons

Neonatal jaundice may also be caused by breast milk, because breast milk contains the hormone pregnanediol. Breast milk containing this hormone will cause the newborn's bilirubin to be unable to be effectively excreted, thus causing neonatal jaundice.

3. Causes of hemolysis

This may be caused by the incompatibility of the blood types of the newborn and the mother. This hemolysis can easily cause neonatal jaundice, and it is neonatal hemolytic jaundice, a very serious neonatal jaundice, which requires timely treatment at a professional medical institution. Phototherapy or traditional Chinese medicine treatment can also be chosen.

4. Causes of Immature Liver Function

Because the newborn's body is not yet fully developed, the liver may not be able to absorb enough bilirubin, which can easily lead to cholestasis and thus neonatal jaundice.

5. Causes of infection

Neonatal jaundice may also be caused by bacterial or viral infection. If the mother suffers from hepatitis B, it will cause infectious jaundice. Only if the mother is properly checked during pregnancy can this situation be avoided.

The above are the five reasons for jaundice. I believe everyone has already understood them. Therefore, when a newborn baby develops jaundice, the baby should be taken to a professional and regular medical institution for treatment in time. In daily life, you can take the newborn baby to get more sun, drink more water, and eat more nutritious foods, which can have a good effect on improving and relieving jaundice.