WHAT IS JAUNDICE?
Jaundice is a condition that results in the yellowing of the skin and the white part of the eye. It is caused by a yellow pigment or substance called bilirubin that is made by the liver, spleen and the bone marrow out of broken down red blood cells. This bilirubin passes out of the body through bile (yellowish fluid) that flows into the stool. Jaundice occurs when this bilirubin is not removed fast enough and the levels in the blood become too high. In fact, jaundice is not a disease, it is a symptom of many underlying causes.
WHAT CAUSES JAUNDICE?
Based on the reason, Jaundice can be classified into three major groups:
- Obstructive Jaundice:
Obstructive Jaundice is a condition that occurs when the normal or natural elimination of the bile from the body is obstructed. E.g. Gall Stones. - Hemolytic or Pre-Hepatic Jaundice:
Hemolytic or Pre-Hepatic Jaundice occurs when the breakdown of the red blood cells is accelerated (hemolysis) resulting in excess production of bile in the body. - Hepatic Jaundice:
Hepatic Jaundice is caused because of some liver injury, or liver-related illness, such as viral disease (Hepatitis A or E) or drugs.
JAUNDICE IN NEWBORNS: WHAT CAUSES IT?
When the mother is pregnant, the mother’s liver breaks down the baby’s bilirubin, and when the child is born, the baby’s own liver is responsible for breaking it down. Jaundice occurs when the baby’s liver is not capable for handling the bilirubin on its own. And since a baby’s liver is still not mature, jaundice is a common occurrence in newborns. But, in most newborns, this only lasts for a few days or maybe a few weeks. After that, the liver of most babies is capable of handling the bilirubin and pass it out of the body.
WHAT INFANTS ARE AT RISK FOR JAUNDICE?
Some infants are far more likely than others to have jaundice, such as:
- Premature babies – the liver is not developed enough to clear away bilirubin as fast as it should.
- Infants who have trouble breastfeeding – if the baby isn’t getting enough breast milk in the first few days or weeks, there is not enough bowel movements to clear away bilirubin.
WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSULT A DOCTOR?
Jaundice is temporary and not harmful. While Jaundice is only life-threatening in extremely rare cases, if not treated properly, it can lead to some serious health issues because when bilirubin levels become dangerously high, it can harm the other cells in the body. It is possible that severe jaundice can cause brain damage that can lead to other complications. So, it is advisable to consult your child’s pediatrician immediately if your child has the following:
- Yellowing of the skin and the white part of the eye. To check if your child’s skin is yellowing, press gently on the child’s forehead with just one finger, if the pressed area looks yellow, your child may have jaundice.
- Pale stool – the stool should not be gray, beige, white or pale.
- Dark urine
- Itchy skin
- Fever
- Joint pains
- Chills & abdominal discomfort
- Loss appetite
- Nausea & vomiting
- Extreme weakness, tiredness & lethargy
- Bitter taste in the mouth
A FEW POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT JAUNDICE IN CHILDREN:
Jaundice is not uncommon, actually, it is quite common in newborns.
Jaundice is usually temporary and harmless, and rarely serious or life-threatening.
