Laramie Pediatrics, pc
Welcome to the online office of Laramie Pediatrics, pc
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Laramie Pediatrics, pc
Welcome to the online office of Laramie Pediatrics, pc
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A Guide to Newborn Jaundice
Jaundice
in Newborns is natural and normal. Compared to adults, all infants get jaundiced. The
reason is infants have too many red blood cells and the wrong kind. They recycle them and the cells release a “yellow”
pigment called bilirubin. The liver filters and packages the bilirubin but is not fully
geared up to handle the work load. The result is bilirubin increased in the bloodstream
and then the tissues.
Bilirubin
levels into the 40’s and perhaps 30’s are known to damage brain and nervous cells and can cause a
form of cerebral palsy (mental retardation). Once damaged, these cells don’t fully
recover. Premature babies tolerate less bilirubin and
are at risk at even lower levels. Breast
fed babies may not drink enough milk their first few days which may further increase
bilirubin levels. Sometimes other medical problems can cause jaundice.
Bilirubin
levels under 20 in term babies are considered safe. The lower the level, the better. And “average” 4-6 day old has a level of
about 8. So, a “low” level is 8 to
12. A “moderate” level is 12 to 15. A
“high” level is 15 to 20.
“Low” levels don’t require any
treatment, other than making sure to watch for it going higher. Usually we don’t draw
lab levels here. “Moderate” Levels
are watched with lab work to make sure they aren’t going higher and frequently we use
home Phototherapy lights to lower it faster. “High”
levels usually require hospitalization Phototherapy to lower the level. In all cases it’s
important to keep the babies well or even overhydrated to help dilute out the bilirubin
level.
Special
lights that let out a blue-green wavelength of light bend the bilirubin molecule from a
“W” shape to an “S” shape which the liver can more efficiently draw
out of the bloodstream for disposal. The light is
safe (no tans or sunburns happen) to the babies, but it takes time to work. It can take several days to lower the bilirubin
level back to the “average range”. Once the level is back to “average”
levels, the liver is able to keep it low, so the problem almost never happens again.
Each baby is different in what happens with their bilirubin levels. These comments are made to the general problem of jaundice. We’ll be sure to tell you about any special differences with your baby that might affect how Jaundice occurs. Be sure to ask questions of us. There is a lot of mis-information and we don’t want you to worry unnecessarily about your baby’s jaundice. If you have further questions about jaundice in newborn infants, you can contact the office at: |
Send mail to
Klep@Laramiekids.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
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