Jaundice: Cause and treatments
What is jaundice and why does it matter during the newborn period?
Jaundice is the word used to describe the yellow color babies can turn within a few days of their birth. Jaundice is due to high levels of bilirubin in the blood. High levels occur because a baby’s liver is too immature to process bilirubin initially. All babies should be checked for jaundice because very high levels of bilirubin can lead to irreversible brain damage. A baby with severe jaundice can be difficult to arouse, difficult to feed and difficult to console.
Jaundice in newborns has been extensively studied to prevent any harm from happening. Graphs exist that create risk stratafications based on a baby’s personal risk factors, age in hours and level of bilirubin. There are clear treatment guidelines defined that prevent children from experiencing harm from high levels of bilirubin.
Jaundice can be treated in several ways. First — a baby is able to excrete bilirubin through their gut into their bowel movements. This means that the more a baby is fed, the less jaundiced they will be — this goes for both breast and formula fed infants. Second, phototherapy or “light therapy” can be used to treat jaundice. Certain wavelengths of light change the structure of bilirubin into a non-toxic substance. Phototherapy is the main medical intervention that occurs to treat jaundice.
Traditionally in Maine, infants with high levels of jaundice are readmitted to the hospital for phototherapy treatment. The treatment typically results in a one to three day hospital stay for the infant and their mother. While this treatment can be life-saving, it also creates a whole other list of stressors in the newborn and mother’s lives.
Phototherapy can be done within the comfort of the newborn’s home. Since 2004, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that otherwise healthy, term infants can be treated with home phototherapy as opposed to being re-hospitalized for treatment. However, home phototherapy options have not been traditionally available here in Maine.
Personalized Pediatrics of Maine (PPM) will be offering rental options for home phototherapy treatment starting in mid-May! For healthy, term babies (babies who are over 38 weeks in age when delivered) requiring phototherapy, If your baby requires phototherapy, please consult with your pediatrician to see if home phototherapy is an option — as opposed to re-hospitalization. Any baby enrolled with PPM who meets the criteria for phototherapy treatment will have the option of home phototherapy at a reduced rate.
More info to follow!!!!!!!
