You will be asked to count the number of wet and dirty diapers.The nurse will return daily to check your child's weight, feedings, skin, and bilirubin level.A nurse will come to your home to teach you how to use the blanket or bed, and to check on your child.You must keep the light therapy on your child's skin and feed your child every 2 to 3 hours (10 to 12 times a day).You may also use a bed that shines light up from the mattress. If the bilirubin level is not too high or is not rising quickly, you can do phototherapy at home with a fiberoptic blanket, which has tiny bright lights in it. In rare cases, the baby may need an intravenous (IV) line to deliver fluids.Breastfeeding should be continued during phototherapy, if possible.The baby will wear only a diaper and special eye shades to protect the eyes.The infant is placed under these lights in a warm, enclosed bed to maintain a constant temperature. These lights work by helping to break down bilirubin in the skin. Sometimes, special blue lights are used on infants whose levels are very high. Treatment in the hospital usually lasts 1 to 2 days. Others may need to go back to the hospital when they are a few days old. Some newborns need to be treated before they leave the hospital. In rare cases, a baby may receive extra fluids by IV.Ask your provider before giving your newborn extra formula. These help remove bilirubin through the stools. Feed the baby often (up to 12 times a day) to encourage frequent bowel movements.Whether the baby was born early (babies born early are more likely to be treated at lower bilirubin levels)Ī baby will need treatment if the bilirubin level is too high or is rising too quickly.Ī baby with jaundice needs to take in plenty of fluids with breast milk or formula:.When treatment is needed, the type will depend on: Treatment is not needed most of the time. Many different genetic or inherited disordersīabies who are born too early (premature) are more likely to develop jaundice than full-term babies.Diseases that affect the liver or biliary tract, such as cystic fibrosis or hepatitis.Infections present at birth, such as rubella, syphilis, and others.Things that make it harder for the baby's body to remove bilirubin may also lead to more severe jaundice, including: Lack of certain important proteins, called enzymes.Higher levels of red blood cells, which is more common in small-for-gestational age (SGA) babies and some twins.Bleeding underneath the scalp (cephalohematoma) caused by a difficult delivery.Blood type mismatch between the mother and baby ( Rh incompatibility or ABO incompatibility).Abnormal blood cell shapes (such as sickle cell anemia).Severe newborn jaundice may occur if the baby has a condition that increases the number of red blood cells that need to be replaced in the body, such as: Breast milk jaundice is different than breastfeeding jaundice. The problem may be due to how substances in the breast milk affect the breakdown of bilirubin in the liver. It is likely to peak during weeks 2 and 3, but may last at low levels for a month or more. Breast milk jaundice may appear in some healthy, breastfed babies after day 7 of life.It is more likely to occur when babies do not nurse well or the mother's milk is slow to come, leading to dehydration. Breastfeeding jaundice is seen in breastfed babies during the first week of life.Two types of jaundice may occur in newborns who are breastfed. Most of the time, it does not cause problems and goes away within 2 weeks. It is usually noticeable when the baby is 2 to 4 days old. Most newborns have some yellowing of the skin, or jaundice. It may take some time for the baby's liver to be able to do this efficiently. After birth, the baby's liver starts doing this job. The placenta is the organ that grows during pregnancy to feed the baby. When the baby is growing in the mother's womb, the placenta removes bilirubin from the baby's body. It is normal for a baby's bilirubin level to be a bit high after birth.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |