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Questions and Answers
What is the main cause of physiological jaundice in newborns?
What is the main cause of physiological jaundice in newborns?
What is the most common condition requiring medical attention in newborns?
What is the most common condition requiring medical attention in newborns?
What is a risk factor for neonatal jaundice?
What is a risk factor for neonatal jaundice?
What is a sign of bilirubin toxicity in severe cases of neonatal jaundice?
What is a sign of bilirubin toxicity in severe cases of neonatal jaundice?
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What is the purpose of exchange transfusion in the treatment of neonatal jaundice?
What is the purpose of exchange transfusion in the treatment of neonatal jaundice?
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What is a complication of untreated neonatal jaundice?
What is a complication of untreated neonatal jaundice?
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What is used to measure bilirubin levels in the diagnosis of neonatal jaundice?
What is used to measure bilirubin levels in the diagnosis of neonatal jaundice?
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What is a rare treatment option for neonatal jaundice?
What is a rare treatment option for neonatal jaundice?
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Study Notes
Definition and Epidemiology
- Neonatal jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes in newborns due to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood.
- Affects approximately 60% of term infants and 80% of preterm infants.
- Most common condition requiring medical attention in newborns.
Causes
- Physiological jaundice: Normal breakdown of fetal red blood cells, leading to increased bilirubin production.
- Pathological jaundice: Abnormal breakdown of red blood cells, e.g., due to blood group incompatibility, hemolytic disease, or infections.
Risk Factors
- Preterm birth: Increased risk of neonatal jaundice due to immature liver function.
- Family history: Increased risk if there is a family history of jaundice or hemolytic disease.
- Blood group incompatibility: Increased risk if mother's blood type is O and baby's blood type is A or B.
Signs and Symptoms
- Yellowish discoloration: Of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
- Dark urine: Bilirubin accumulation in the urine.
- Fussy or lethargic behavior: In severe cases, bilirubin toxicity can cause neurological symptoms.
Diagnosis
- Physical examination: Visual inspection of the skin and eyes.
- Bilirubin levels: Measured through blood tests or transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TcB).
- Differential diagnosis: Rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as sepsis or hypothyroidism.
Treatment
- Phototherapy: Exposure to specific wavelengths of light to break down bilirubin in the skin.
- Exchange transfusion: Replacement of the baby's blood with donor blood to reduce bilirubin levels.
- Pharmacological therapy: In rare cases, medications like phenobarbital may be used to enhance bilirubin excretion.
Complications
- Kernicterus: Bilirubin toxicity causing neurological damage and long-term sequelae.
- Hear loss: Bilirubin toxicity affecting the auditory nerve.
- Cerebral palsy: Rarely, severe bilirubin toxicity can contribute to the development of cerebral palsy.
Definition and Epidemiology
- Neonatal jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes in newborns due to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood.
- Affects approximately 60% of term infants and 80% of preterm infants.
- Most common condition requiring medical attention in newborns.
Causes
- Physiological jaundice occurs due to normal breakdown of fetal red blood cells, leading to increased bilirubin production.
- Pathological jaundice occurs due to abnormal breakdown of red blood cells, e.g., due to blood group incompatibility, hemolytic disease, or infections.
Risk Factors
- Preterm birth increases the risk of neonatal jaundice due to immature liver function.
- Family history of jaundice or hemolytic disease increases the risk.
- Blood group incompatibility (e.g., mother's blood type is O and baby's blood type is A or B) increases the risk.
Signs and Symptoms
- Yellowish discoloration of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
- Dark urine due to bilirubin accumulation.
- Fussy or lethargic behavior in severe cases due to bilirubin toxicity causing neurological symptoms.
Diagnosis
- Physical examination involves visual inspection of the skin and eyes.
- Bilirubin levels are measured through blood tests or transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TcB).
- Differential diagnosis is necessary to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as sepsis or hypothyroidism.
Treatment
- Phototherapy involves exposure to specific wavelengths of light to break down bilirubin in the skin.
- Exchange transfusion involves replacement of the baby's blood with donor blood to reduce bilirubin levels.
- Pharmacological therapy (e.g., phenobarbital) may be used in rare cases to enhance bilirubin excretion.
Complications
- Kernicterus occurs due to bilirubin toxicity causing neurological damage and long-term sequelae.
- Hearing loss can occur due to bilirubin toxicity affecting the auditory nerve.
- Cerebral palsy can rarely occur due to severe bilirubin toxicity contributing to its development.
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Description
Learn about the causes, definition, and prevalence of neonatal jaundice, a common condition in newborns. Understand the differences between physiological and pathological jaundice.
