subject: Types Of Jaundice (newborn) [print this page] What is Jaundice? What is Jaundice?
In jaundice the skin and the whites of the eyes (the sclera) are yellow because of increased amounts of a yellow pigment called bilirubin in the body. The color of the skin and sclerae vary depending on the level of bilirubin. Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin builds up in the body if the liver doesn't send it into the intestines. Jaundice is also a sign that can occur in many different diseases.
Types of Jaundice (Newborn)
Type 1. Blood group incompatibility:
Cause: If a baby and mother have different blood types, sometimes the mother produces antibodies that destroy the newborn's red blood cells. This causes a sudden buildup of bilirubin in the baby's blood. Rh problems used to cause the most severe form of jaundice. However, they are preventable if the mother is given an injection of RhoGAM within 72 hours after delivery.
Treatment: High levels of bilirubin (usually above 20 mg/dl) can cause deafness, cerebral palsy, or brain damage in some babies. These complications can be prevented by lowering the bilirubin using phototherapy (blue light that breaks down bilirubin in the skin). In many communities, phototherapy can be used in the home. In rare cases where the bilirubin reaches dangerous levels, an exchange transfusion may be used. This technique replaces the baby's blood with fresh blood. Physiological jaundice does not rise to levels requiring this type of treatment.
Type 2. Physiological jaundice:
Cause: This is the most common cause of newborn jaundice and occurs in more than 50% of babies. Because the baby has an immature liver, bilirubin is processed slower. The jaundice first appears at 2 to 3 days of age. It usually disappears by 1 to 2 weeks of age, and then levels of bilirubin are harmless.
Treatment: If you feed your baby with a bottle, feed your baby more often. Try to feed your baby every 2 to 3 hours during the day.
Type 3. Breast-feeding jaundice:
Cause: Breast-feeding jaundice may occur when your baby does not drink enough breast milk. It occurs in 5% to 10% of newborns. The jaundice indicates a need for help with breast-feeding.
Treatment: The main treatment is to increase the supply of breast milk. Read about breast-feeding or talk with a lactation specialist. Nurse your baby more often. Nurse your baby every 1-and-1/2 to 2-and-1/2 hours. Since the bilirubin is carried out of the body in the stools, passing frequent bowel movements (BMs) is helpful. Frequent weight checks are also important. If you must supplement, use formula.
Type 4. Breast-milk jaundice:
Cause: Breast-milk jaundice occurs in 1% to 2% of breast-fed babies. It is caused by a special substance that some mothers produce in their milk. This substance causes your baby's intestine to absorb more bilirubin back into his body than normal. It is not harmful.
Treatment: The bilirubin level can be reduced by alternating each breast-feeding with formula feeding for 2 or 3 days. Whenever you miss a nursing, be sure to use a breast pump to keep your milk production flowing. You do not need to stop breast-feeding permanently because of breast milk jaundice. Once the jaundice clears, you can return to full breast-feeding and not worry about the jaundice coming back.
