Jaundice of newborns

In many of us jaundice is associatedexclusively with hepatitis A (Botkin's disease) and seems almost a death sentence. In fact, jaundice is indeed one of the symptoms of hepatitis, but not always yellowing of the skin and sclera means that a person has hepatitis. You do not start to suspect tuberculosis at the slightest cough?

The cause of jaundice is an increased content of bilirubin in the blood, bile pigment, one of the intermediateproducts of decomposition of hemoglobin. Jaundice of newborns arises because before birth, when the fetus still does not breathe with the lungs, oxygen in its body is transferred by red blood cells with a special type of hemoglobin - fetal. After birth, these erythrocytes are destroyed, because the need for them disappears, and a large amount of so-called indirect bilirubin is formed.

This kind of bilirubin is insoluble, so it does notis excreted from the body with urine. The conversion of bilirubin into a soluble form corresponds to the enzyme systems of the liver. But in newborn children, these systems end up forming only a few days after birth, in addition, infants may have a deficiency in blood protein albumin binding bilirubin. The concentration of bilirubin in the body increases. Thus jaundice of newborns occurs.

Is jaundice dangerous for newborns? Yes and no. The fact is that there are several types of jaundice. The most common of these is the physiological jaundice of newborns. It manifests itself on the third or fourth day afterbirth of a child and occurs in about 60% of newborns - even in absolutely healthy children. It passes itself in a few days and does not cause complications. In fact, the physiological jaundice of newborns and disease is not.

Usually, physiological jaundice does not affectthe general condition of the child, although with severe jaundice, drowsiness may appear, appetite may worsen, and sometimes vomiting may occur. The severity of jaundice is determined not by external manifestations, but by the level of free (unbound) bilirubin in the blood. The most effective method for reducing the toxicity of bilirubin is phototherapy (light treatment).

But in addition to physiological jaundice, there is also abnormal jaundice of newborns. It usually occurs before the physiologicaljaundice, during the first 24 hours after birth. In addition to the icteric skin coloration and sclera, pathological jaundice of newborns can be accompanied by an increase in the liver and spleen, discoloration of feces, darkening of the urine, the appearance of bruises and pinpoint hemorrhages. As a result of increased hemolysis (disintegration of erythrocytes), anemia (anemia) begins.

The pathological jaundice of newborns can arise because of:

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  incompatibility of blood type or Rh factor of mother and child
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  genetic disorders
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  congenital infections (viral and bacterial)
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  cyst of the bile duct, underdevelopment of the bile ducts, annular pancreas (mechanical jaundice)
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  hepatic dysfunction
• 
  hormonal disorders

Pathological jaundice in newborns is treated depending on the cause that caused it. With intensive hemolysis,blood transfusions - they help to remove from the body bilirubin and antibodies that cause massive destruction of red blood cells. When infectious diseases are treated primarily the infection itself. Mechanical jaundices are treated surgically. Treatment of hepatic dysfunction is prescribed by the gastroenterologist, and with hormonal disturbance the endocrinologist appoints the necessary hormones.

Jaundice of newborns is not a sentence. If, within a few days after birth, your baby has yellowed skin and sclera, most likely, it has physiological jaundice, and there is nothing terrible - this is a normal condition for the newborn. But if jaundice does not go away after a few days and is accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms - it's urgent to see a doctor! He will determine if your child has pathological jaundice, and if necessary, prescribe a treatment.