However, a malfunction in any part of the process causes the bilirubin to build up in the skin causing the yellowing of the skin and other parts of the body. The bilirubin is a chemical or an enzyme present in the body which moves from the liver to the bile ducts and is then excreted from the body through the stool. This causes an excessive buildup of the bilirubin in the blood stream. Jaundice is caused due to the inability of breaking down of bilirubin by the hemoglobin component present in the blood. In many circumstances, the yellowing of eyes is caused due to jaundice. Normally the first round of checkups in newborns calls for a jaundice check by the pediatrician. In this form of exchange transfusion of blood, the baby receives healthy blood cells from a donor wherein the damaged red blood cells of the baby are replaced with healthy ones. Highly intense cases of jaundice may require a blood transfusion. Mild jaundice may get sorted on its own and for treating the moderate form of jaundice, light therapy may be administered. The intensity of jaundice can range from mild to moderate, however in the case of newborns even severe jaundice is a possibility. Preterm babies are at high risk of hemorrhages. Hemorrhage: Hemorrhage is also known as internal bleeding.This condition can be fatal and serious when not treated immediately. Infections: Certain bacterial infections such as sepsis can cause severe jaundice in the case of a newborn.Jaundice in preterm babies is likely to be more severe along with several other conditions. Jaundice in premature babies: Babies born way ahead of their actual due date, or premature babies, are at high risk of acquiring jaundice as their livers are still developing or immature.In such a case since the antibodies are attacking the baby’s red blood cells prior to birth itself, this form of jaundice may appear in babies as young as one day old. When this occurs, the body of the mother may harm the red blood cells of the baby in the womb itself. Jaundice due to the incompatibility of blood: Sometimes, the blood types of the mother and the baby may seem incompatible.Some causes of the more concerning forms of jaundice in newborns include: This jaundice generally gets sorted in a time of about 12 weeks.Īlthough jaundice in newborns is not quite concerning, in some cases it may lead to complications. Breast milk: Quite often there are certain chemicals or elements present in the mother’s milk that can lead to the baby’s intestines retaining the bilirubin rather than excreting it out of the body through stools.This jaundice generally is resolved when the baby gets its required amount of breast milk in a few days after delivery. Malnourished: Sometimes breastfeeding can also be a cause of jaundice particularly when the baby is not able to get adequate breast milk that can flush out the bilirubin from his or her body.The signs begin to appear when the baby is 2 to 4 days old. Physiological jaundice: A number of newborn babies have this form of jaundice primarily caused due to the immature or underdeveloped liver of the baby.Most common forms in which jaundice exists in a newborn baby include: In the most number of cases, this form of jaundice is considered harmless and is known to get treated on its own as the little liver in the baby’s body develops. Newborns with any of the signs mentioned above must be immediately taken to a doctor to check for signs of jaundice. Apart from yellow eyes, these are the following signs in a newborn that can help parents identify signs of jaundice: Apart from yellowing of the skin, the most common signs of jaundice in a newborn is a yellow tinge in their eyes. Very often there could be excess levels of bilirubin in their blood streams as their livers are unable to break down the chemical fast enough in their body. Jaundice among newborns is a common phenomenon as the liver of the infant is still developing. While for new parents it may seem like a cause for concern, it is normally associated with newborn jaundice which is not as alarming as it may seem. Strangely, a number of newborn babies are affected with yellow eyes when they are born. Another term used to refer to yellowing of eyes or jaundice is icterus. Jaundice is a term indicative of a medical condition that causes yellowing of the skin, eyes and the overall body due to an excessive build up of the bilirubin level in the blood stream. The yellowish appearance of the eyes is often termed as jaundiced eyes or looking jaundiced. Have a question about Jaundice? Ask a doctor now
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