Rapid treatment of infant jaundice; Everything parents need to know

Jaundice in infancy is one of the most common problems in infancy that usually worries parents. In this article, we fully discuss the causes, symptoms and methods of quick treatment of jaundice in babies and introduce the best measures to reduce the level of bilirubin in the blood. What is baby jaundice? Neonatal Jaundice is actually the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes of the baby, which occurs due to the increase in the level of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance that is produced from the breakdown of red blood cells. In most babies, the liver is not yet fully developed and cannot remove excess bilirubin very well. This causes the level of bilirubin to increase and the baby's skin to turn yellow. Types of neonatal jaundice Baby jaundice is usually divided into two types: - **Physiological Jaundice:** The most common type of jaundice that is normal and usually appears between the second and fifth day of birth and resolves within two weeks without problems. - **Pathological Jaundice:** This type of jaundice is caused by underlying diseases such as mother and baby blood group incompatibility, infections or liver problems and needs immediate treatment. Symptoms of baby jaundice The most common symptom of jaundice is the change in the color of the baby's skin and eyes. Other symptoms include: Excessive sleepiness - Not enough milk - Lethargy or weakness - Excessive weight loss Accurate diagnosis of jaundice is not possible only by visual observation and requires blood bilirubin level testing. Dangers of untreated jaundice If the baby's jaundice is severe and untreated, it can cause serious brain damage known as kernicterus. For this reason, timely and quick treatment of jaundice is very important. Rapid treatment methods for infant jaundice ### 1) Increasing breastfeeding One of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce jaundice is frequent feeding of the baby with breast milk. Breast milk helps bilirubin to be excreted faster through the stool. Note: the baby should be breastfed at least 8 to 12 times a day. ### 2) Phototherapy or light therapy Phototherapy is the most common medical method for the rapid treatment of infant jaundice. In this method, the baby is placed under a special light that changes the structure of bilirubin and makes it easier to expel. Phototherapy is performed in hospitals or medical centers under the supervision of a doctor. ### 3) Blood exchange In very severe cases where light therapy is not effective, blood exchange is performed. In this method, part of the baby's blood is replaced with healthy blood to reduce bilirubin. This method is only used in critical situations. ### 4) Using a home phototherapy device (with the doctor's opinion) Today, home phototherapy devices are available that can be used at home under the supervision of a doctor. But this method is only recommended for mild to moderate jaundice. home methods to reduce jaundice; True and false beliefs Some families mistakenly turn to home remedies such as using sunlight or giving sugar water. But these methods are not scientific and may even be dangerous. - **Sunlight:** Placing the baby under direct sunlight is not recommended because it may burn the baby's sensitive skin. - **Sugar water:** Giving sugar water to the baby not only does not help, but it can reduce the baby's desire to eat breast milk. When should we see a doctor? If the baby's jaundice is severe or appears before 24 hours, or if the baby has the following symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately: - Increase the intensity of jaundice. - The baby's hands and feet turn yellow (a sign of high bilirubin levels). - The baby has severe lethargy. - Not breastfeeding or excessive weight loss. Prevention of infant jaundice In most cases, baby jaundice cannot be prevented because it has natural causes. But observing a few points can reduce its severity: - Early and frequent feeding after birth - Blood type control of mother and baby during pregnancy - Follow-up of newborn screening tests The role of a specialist doctor in the rapid treatment of infant jaundice Diagnosis and treatment of jaundice must be done under the supervision of a neonatologist. With years of experience in the field of newborns and treating jaundice, Dr. Kambiz Herman Moghadam chooses the best treatment method for the newborn by carefully examining the condition of the newborn and performing the necessary tests. summary Infant jaundice is normal and treatable in most cases. The most important thing is to quickly follow up the parents and see a specialist doctor to prevent serious complications. If you are worried about your baby's jaundice, it is better to consult with Dr. Kambiz Herman Moghadam today to choose the best treatment method for your beloved baby.