Jaundice is one of the most feared conditions for mothers who have just given birth. So what is jaundice?
Jaundice is a condition that is marked by yellowing of the skin color and is seen in more than half of newborn babies. It occurs as a result of the accumulation of the substance called bilirubin in the blood, which causes jaundice.
Bilirubin is a substance released as a result of the destruction of red blood cells, which we call erythrocytes. It is normally present in the blood at a certain level and is removed from the liver. In fact, while in the womb, the mother cleans the blood from bilirubin through the placenta. In the first days after birth, since the baby's liver functions are not fully mature, the bilirubin released accumulates in the blood, the skin turns yellow, and we observe that the baby has jaundice. Jaundice reaches its highest level at age 3-5. It comes between days. Since the baby's skin color alone can be misleading for jaundice, a blood test may be required.
Jaundice usually starts in the baby's skin from the white part of the eyes and moves down to the body as its level increases. Elevated bilirubin is noticed by parents in the pupils and forehead. Generally, this condition does not harm the baby, but in some cases, it increases very much, especially in jaundice that goes down to the feet, and may create a situation that needs to be treated as the blood-brain barrier can be overcome. It is necessary to check it within a week, monitor its weight, evaluate its nutrition and, if necessary, take a blood test for jaundice.
Jaundice is usually not at a level that can be treated. At the values required for treatment, light therapy called phototherapy is applied to the baby in the hospital.
Jaundice normally decreases and disappears within the first 10-15 days, but in some cases, jaundice may occur, called prolonged jaundice, which can last up to 2 months.
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Since prolonged jaundice can develop through different mechanisms than neonatal jaundice, it may require detailed evaluation. In prolonged jaundice, there is usually jaundice only in the white part of the eye and at different times of the day. It disappears from time to time, it occurs from time to time. If at the 2nd month examination If jaundice is detected, detailed analyzes may be required.
For this reason, monthly examinations are very important.
I wish you healthy days.
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