Physiological jaundice

Physiological jaundice

Physiological jaundice is a normal physiological phenomenon of bilirubin metabolism in normal newborns during their growth process. It is a yellowing phenomenon of the skin and mucous membranes caused by excessive bilirubin concentration in the child's body.

Causes and manifestations:

Since the fetus relies on alternative oxygen supply in the mother's womb, it is in a relatively oxygen-deficient environment, so the number of red blood cells is relatively large.

After birth, due to active breathing, the oxygen intake increases, and so many red blood cells are no longer needed to transport enough oxygen to maintain normal physiological activities. Therefore, a large number of red blood cells are destroyed, and bilirubin from other sources increases. At the same time, because the liver function of newborn babies is immature, the liver's ability to absorb unconjugated bilirubin is insufficient, and the intestines of newborns absorb a large amount of unconjugated bilirubin into the blood, so the bilirubin concentration in the serum is very high.

Generally, newborns begin to develop jaundice two or three days after birth, and the jaundice is most obvious on the fourth or fifth day. It disappears naturally on the seventh to ninth day, and lasts no longer than two weeks. The body is in good condition and there are no other symptoms. This is physiological jaundice, which is a normal physiological phenomenon of newborns and is not pathological. To determine whether a child has physiological jaundice, the main thing is to look at the maximum limit of serum bilirubin. It is generally believed that full-term infants should be less than 221 micromoles per liter, and premature infants should be less than 256 micromoles per liter.

Nursing Note:

Physiological jaundice is a normal phenomenon and does not require special treatment. Pay attention to giving your child enough water and calories. Giving newborns oral glucose has a certain effect on alleviating physiological jaundice.

In the later stages of pregnancy, you should be careful not to exercise too much and have drastic mental fluctuations to prevent premature birth.

Exclusive breastfeeding as early as possible after birth and reasonable feeding are beneficial to the disappearance of physiological jaundice.