Jaundice in newborns: causes and consequences
Jaundice in newborns: causes and consequences
In medicine, there are two types of jaundice -Pathological and physiological. The most common is the physiological icterus, which occurs as a result of the massive decay of fetal hemoglobin in the bloodstream of the newborn. The causes of pathological jaundice are more often associated with the incompatibility of the Rh factor of mother and child, the pathology of the blood system, diseases of the bile duct and liver parenchyma.
Physiological jelly
Fetal (fetal) hemoglobin significantlyDiffers from an adult and has a short life expectancy. After birth, it breaks down very quickly, which leads to an increase in the quantitative indices of direct bilirubin. As a result, the skin becomes icteric. Physiological icterus begins on the third day after birth and persists for 3-5 days. Her course is not accompanied by a deterioration in the overall well-being of the baby and has no consequences. In juveniles on breast-feeding, the jaundice passes faster, since milk, which has a laxative effect, allows the original feces together with bilirubin to leave the body as quickly as possible.Pathological jaundice
Pathological jaundice occurs immediately afterbirth, bilirubin reaches a level that poisons the nervous system. The course of the disease is slow and requires medical treatment. It often occurs in premature babies, whose liver and internal organs are not mature enough. The child's organism can not cope with a high level of bilirubin. Among the reasons, doctors call incompatibility by blood group or Rh factor of mother and child. In this situation, jaundice can develop immediately after birth. Microspherocytosis and sickle cell anemia - genetic disorders that lead to pathologies of the walls of red blood cells, provoke their massive decay. The most dangerous are the reasons that do not allow for full treatment - underdevelopment of the bile ducts and blockage of the bile ducts.Consequences and treatment
Treatment of the pathological icterus should betimely and fast. Otherwise, the disease has a negative effect on the heart, nervous system and digestive tract. High rates of direct bilirubin have a toxic effect on the brain, which leads to weakening of reflexes, including sucking. A weak physiological jelly does not require treatment, especially if the baby is breastfed. After a week, the skin and sclera get a normal color. Long-term preservation of high bilirubin indices requires the introduction of a safe method of treatment - phototherapy, which involves the use of a special device that emits light. A natural lamp is the sun, at home, the child is placed under indirect sunlight.
