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Jaundice is actually due to high level of a substance called BILIRUBIN in the blood of the Newborn.
It is this Bilirubin that is actually yellow in colour…..and it is the staining of the eyes and skin by bilirubin that causes the yellowish discolouration known as Jaundice.
In fact another name for jaundice in newborn is Neonatal Hyperbilirubinaemia…..too much bilirubin.
Remember this bilirubin, because all problems from Jaundice is the bilirubin and all treatment for jaundice in the newborn is to remove bilirubin or at least to make it safe because bilirubin is toxic or poisonous to the brain of a newborn
It is this Bilirubin that is actually yellow in colour…..and it is the staining of the eyes and skin by bilirubin that causes the yellowish discolouration known as Jaundice.
In fact another name for jaundice in newborn is Neonatal Hyperbilirubinaemia…..too much bilirubin.
Remember this bilirubin, because all problems from Jaundice is the bilirubin and all treatment for jaundice in the newborn is to remove bilirubin or at least to make it safe because bilirubin is toxic or poisonous to the brain of a newborn
Dr. Dara Abiodun
Medical Doctor
Can Jaundice be prevented in the newborns? The answer is Yes!
There are some causes of Jaundice that can be prevented while for others, there is no way to prevent them but secondary prevention can be done by ensuring the jaundice is promptly detected and treated so as not to lead to the feared complication of Kernicterus i.e. brain damage in the newborns.
Causes of Jaundice in the Newborns that can be prevented include:
1. Rhesus Incompatibility
Jaundice due to Rhesus incompatibility can be prevented by Rhesus Negative Mums taking RHOGAM injection within 72 hours of delivery of a Rhesus positive baby or loss of a pregnancy either to abortion/miscarriages. This will help ensure the next baby will not develop Jaundice
2. Prematurity
All steps and efforts to prevent preterm deliveries including good antenatal care will help prevent newborn jaundice secondary to prematurity.
3. Infections including the torches.
There are some causes of Jaundice that can be prevented while for others, there is no way to prevent them but secondary prevention can be done by ensuring the jaundice is promptly detected and treated so as not to lead to the feared complication of Kernicterus i.e. brain damage in the newborns.
Causes of Jaundice in the Newborns that can be prevented include:
1. Rhesus Incompatibility
Jaundice due to Rhesus incompatibility can be prevented by Rhesus Negative Mums taking RHOGAM injection within 72 hours of delivery of a Rhesus positive baby or loss of a pregnancy either to abortion/miscarriages. This will help ensure the next baby will not develop Jaundice
2. Prematurity
All steps and efforts to prevent preterm deliveries including good antenatal care will help prevent newborn jaundice secondary to prematurity.
3. Infections including the torches.
DO NOT GIVE ANTIBIOTICS TO A NEWBORN BABY WITH JAUNDICE WITHOUT A DOCTOR SEEING THE BABY OR CHECKING THE LEVEL OF THE JAUNDICE, SERUM BILIRUBIN. Do not self medicate.