Small babies suffer from jaundice in first few days of life that makes their skin yellow. Full term babies are less suspected to the jaundice but premature babies most commonly suffer from jaundice problem. Parents don’t have to panic if their child suffers from jaundice.
Jaundice in infants is quite different as compared to jaundice in adults. In adults main cause of jaundice is liver problem. The main reason of jaundice in child and infants is bilirubin that is a chemical releases during the breakdown of red blood cells. Jaundice does not cause any serious damage to your child but it makes the skin color yellow.
Jaundice is very common among new born babies. Around 60 percent full term new born babies suffer from jaundice during second or third day of their life. More than 80 percent premature babies suffer from jaundice in the initial days of their life and rises during fifth or sixth day. The mother suffering from diabetes has large chances of giving birth to a child affected from jaundice. According to a research boys are most likely to suffer from jaundice as compared to new born baby girls.
Treatment for jaundice in kids and infants
As we have already discussed that main cause of jaundice in infants is excess of bilirubin level so they are exposed to fluorescent light for controlling down the level of bilirubin and this phenomenon is termed as phototherapy. Baby is exposed naked inside the light for one or two days and his eyes are covered through a protective mask. A simple test can detect the level of bilirubin inside your child. Once you are confirmed with the problem, you can start the treatment for jaundice immediately.
If phototherapy is not working then you can use sun light for the treatment of jaundice in infants. But don’t expose your baby in sunlight for longer hours as it can harm his skin badly. In serious cases, bilirubin level cannot be controlled through phototherapy and sunlight then it would be better using blood transfusion treatment for your baby. In some cases, it is possible to detect this problem during your pregnancy and doctor recommends anti D injections for treating jaundice at an early stage.
Indian babies are very much suspected to jaundice and doctors keep new born babies under observation for two or three days. If you are back to home and your baby is showing some symptoms of jaundice then you should immediately consult with your doctor. The most common symptoms of jaundice are high fever, yellowish skin and weak digestive system. Keep a close eye on all symptoms and consult your doctor if your baby is also showing the same symptoms.
Popular Myths about the jaundice
Some people think that jaundice means that your baby is not able to adjust with breast milk so he must be feed with water. But it is myth as breast milk is the best medicine for new bon babies and it is essential for making their immune system strong.
Some parents think yellow outfits and yellow food should be avoided during jaundice but medical research proves that yellow food and clothes do not have bad impact on your child.
Mother should avoid spicy food during jaundice in your child. This is only a myth as it cannot avoid jaundice and this is just a style of healthy living.
Some people think that phototherapy can also be provided at home through a tube light but it can make the situation worst for your child.