Therefore, when parents see a new-born baby, if they have symptoms such as sudden yellowing of the skin, they must not take it lightly. Many elderly people will give a variety of solutions, such as “feeding water constantly, taking a bite of honey”, etc., which are the “indigenous method” often heard by novices and parents. We kindly remind you that newborn babies have delicate skin and incomplete digestive and respiratory system development. When they encounter neonatal jaundice, parents should ask their doctors for professional diagnosis, determine the baby’s health, and follow the doctor’s instructions for follow-up diagnosis and treatment.
Causes of Jaundice
Generally speaking, the occurrence of neonatal jaundice is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice.
(1) Physiological jaundice
Physiological jaundice is related to the characteristics of neonatal bilirubin metabolism, including relatively high bilirubin production, insufficient uptake of bilirubin by hepatocytes, poor ability of plasma albumin to connect to bilirubin, and defective bilirubin excretion capacity, increased enterohepatic circulation and other reasons. Therefore, 60% of full-term infants and 80% of preterm infants may have visible jaundice in the first week after birth.
(2) Pathological jaundice
Excessive bilirubin production
Due to the destruction of excessive red blood cells and the increase of enterohepatic circulation, the unbound bilirubin in serum increases.
Hepatic bilirubin metabolism disorder
Due to the low uptake and binding of bilirubin by hepatocytes, the unconjugated bilirubin in serum increases.
Bile excretion disorders
Hepatocyte excretion combined with bilirubin disorder or bile duct obstruction can cause hyperconjugated bilirubinemia, but if it is accompanied by impaired liver cell function, there may also be an increase in unconjugated bilirubin.
How to Deal with Neonatal Jaundice?
Light therapy is a simple and effective way to reduce serum unbound bilirubin. At present, the commonly used method in China is blue light irradiation. The newborn is lying in a phototherapy box, and both eyes are protected with black goggles to prevent damage to the retina. Sensitive fillings are covered with diapers, and the rest are exposed. Irradiate with single-sided light or double-sided light for 2 to 48 hours (generally no more than 4 days). The treatment can be stopped until the bilirubin drops below 7 mg/dL when conducting continuous or intermittent irradiation.
Newborn Blue Light Therapy Machine
GLQ-1L Floor-standing bracket with rotatable lamp head