Jaundice: The Reason Behind Yellow Skin and Eyes

Picture the joy of bringing a newborn home. You feel everything is perfect until you see a change. Your baby’s skin turns slightly yellow, and their eyes follow with the same tint. This change is called jaundice, and it’s not uncommon in newborns.

Jaundice appears when the body has too much bilirubin, a yellow pigment. Normally, the liver gets rid of this substance. But with jaundice, the liver can’t keep up. This leads to yellow skin and eyes.

Most often, jaundice in newborns goes away without causing harm. But it’s important to know when to seek help. Over 50% of babies show signs of jaundice within their first week¹. Premature babies are at even greater risk, with up to 80% affected¹.

In typical cases, jaundice goes away by itself within a couple of weeks². Yet, sometimes babies need phototherapy treatment to lower their bilirubin levels. This treatment can include bili lights or a bili blanket².

Although jaundice is often not a big worry, it can lead to serious problems. In severe cases, it may damage the brain and cause issues like cerebral palsy or deafness². Watch for signs of worsening jaundice: more yellowing, lack of eating, too much sleep, or not enough wet diapers. If you see these signs, call your baby’s doctor right away².

Keep in mind, jaundice is usually temporary and common in newborns. But, in rare cases, it can be serious. With the right knowledge on its causes, symptoms, and needed care, you can protect your baby and support them through this early challenge.

Key Takeaways:

• Jaundice happens when there’s too much bilirubin, causing yellow skin and eyes³.
• Physiologic jaundice is often seen in newborns, but it usually fades away in two weeks².
• Phototherapy might be needed for some newborns, using either bili lights or a bili blanket².
• In severe cases, jaundice can harm the brain, underlining the need to watch for warning signs and get help as needed².
• Knowing the causes of jaundice and when to seek medical advice is key to preventing serious issues³.

What Causes Jaundice in Children?

Jaundice in children can stem from various reasons. Early on, physiological jaundice is a common occurrence, especially within the first week of life. This happens as the baby’s liver matures and starts to handle bilirubin. Also, Breast milk can cause jaundice if it contains substances that slow down the liver’s processing of bilirubin. This particular type might persist for up to 12 weeks⁴.

Furthermore, viral infections like the Epstein Barr virus can inflame the liver. This leads to a build-up of bilirubin in kids, causing jaundice⁵. Other, but less frequent, reasons for jaundice in kids are hepatitis A, B, and C⁵. Kids with conditions like Gilbert’s syndrome, where bilirubin processing is affected, may also get jaundice⁵.

Blockages in the liver, perhaps from gallstones or pancreatic issues, can also be a cause, albeit less common. Yet, when jaundice poses in a child, it’s vital to seek a doctor’s advice for a proper diagnosis⁵.

Determining the cause of jaundice is crucial for the right treatment plan. Doctors may run blood and urine tests to check bilirubin levels and confirm jaundice⁵. Sometimes, more tests such as ultrasound may be needed to pinpoint the exact cause⁵. The treatment course for jaundice varies based on the root cause and its severity. For viral-induced cases, managing the symptoms takes precedence⁵.

Source: Adapted from Statistical Data⁵

How Does Jaundice Develop in the Body?

Jaundice happens when there’s too much bilirubin in you. This bilirubin comes from the breakdown of red blood cells. Your liver usually gets rid of this bilirubin. But, if your liver is having trouble or there’s too much bilirubin, you get jaundice. Then, your skin and eyes turn yellow. This is a big sign of jaundice.

Every time your red blood cells die, they make bilirubin. This bilirubin goes to your liver. There, it gets mixed with other stuff to make it okay for your body to get rid of it. After this process, the liver sends the bilirubin out in bile. The body then gets rid of it.

Jaundice can happen if any part of this process breaks down. If your body breaks down red blood cells too fast, your liver might not keep up. Likewise, if your liver doesn’t work right, it might not process the bilirubin like it should. This can also cause high bilirubin levels and jaundice.

Bilirubin levels might go up because of liver disease or blocked bile ducts, too. These problems stop the body from getting rid of bilirubin like normal. Finding out why bilirubin is high is crucial to treating jaundice.

Knowing how the body normally handles bilirubin and the liver’s job is key to fixing jaundice. By finding the root of the issue, doctors can decide the best way to lower bilirubin. This helps avoid more health problems.

Key Statistics:

• Approximately 60% of babies develop jaundice within 2-3 days after delivery⁶.
• About 60% of newborn babies develop jaundice within the first couple of days after birth⁷.
• Normal serum levels of bilirubin are less than 1 milligram per deciliter (mg/dL)⁸.
• Approximately 20% of term babies present with jaundice in the first week of life⁸.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Jaundice

Jaundice makes the skin and eyes turn yellow. It also brings other symptoms. The yellow skin and eyes are the most obvious signs⁹. In serious cases, these areas may turn brown. Knowing these symptoms early is crucial. It helps to get the right medical treatment and find out why it’s happening.

Besides yellowed skin and eyes, jaundice shows other signs. The inside of the mouth might turn yellow. Urine might look dark or brown. Stools can become pale or clay-colored⁹. These changes come from a lot of bilirubin in the body. Bilirubin is a yellow product from breaking down red blood cells. It goes into the urine but not the stools, which is why these changes happen.

Some people with jaundice might feel itchy⁹. This itch, called pruritus, can range from mild to strong and can get worse at night. Bilirubin gathering in the skin causes this problem.

It’s key to remember, jaundice symptoms can be different. Many things like liver problems, certain viruses, gallstones, some cancers, and types of anemia can cause it⁹. So, a full check-up is needed to know the cause. This helps in making the right treatment plan.

Testing and Diagnosis of Jaundice

Diagnosing jaundice involves a thorough physical examination. Various tests are done to find the main cause and how serious it is. Doctors use different ways to find the problem in kids.

Physical Exam and Observation

The doctor looks for signs of jaundice during the checkup. This includes checking if the skin and eyes are turning yellow. Parents should also watch for yellowing at home. If a baby’s urine looks yellow or the stool is pale, it might mean they have jaundice¹⁰.

Blood Tests

Blood tests like bilirubin checks and liver function tests are done. They measure how much bilirubin is in the blood and check the liver’s health. A special machine, the bilirubinometer, is used for this. If jaundice shows up in a newborn in the first 24 hours or if the bilirubin is really high, more blood tests might be needed to find the cause¹⁰.

Imaging Tests

Doctors might also want to do imaging tests to get a closer look. These could include an ultrasound, CT scan, MRCP, ERCP, PTCA, or liver biopsy. These tests give a clear view of the liver and bile ducts. It helps doctors in planning how to treat and manage the condition¹¹.

Combining physical exams, blood tests, and imaging is key in diagnosing jaundice in children. These steps let doctors see how bad the jaundice is and what’s causing it. This information is important in the treatment and care of the child.

Treating Jaundice in Children

The focus in treating jaundice in kids is finding the cause. Each child needs a unique care plan for the best results.

Supportive care is a key part of treating jaundice. It includes keeping the child hydrated, ensuring they eat well, and checking their bilirubin levels often¹².

Mild jaundice might go away on its own in two to three weeks¹². But, the child still needs care and monitoring during this time.

For moderate or severe jaundice, advanced treatments may be needed. These can include:

1. Enhanced nutrition to improve liver health and the child’s well-being¹².
2. Phototherapy to help remove bilirubin from the blood¹³.
3. IVIG to lower jaundice levels and possibly avoid a transfusion¹².
4. Exchange transfusion as a last resort, swapping the baby’s blood with a donor’s to lower bilirubin¹²¹³.

The treatment course is based on factors like jaundice severity and the child’s health. Doctors consider many things to decide the best treatment¹².

Doctors are vital in deciding on care plans for jaundice. They look at bilirubin levels and other health markers. They suggest regular visits to track treatment progress and ensure the baby’s health¹².

For parents and caregivers, keeping in touch with doctors is crucial. Doctors guide on the treatment seriousness, tests, the start of care, and when or if the baby needs to be seen again. They also discuss how to feed the child¹².

It’s key for parents and caregivers to know about the condition and treatments. For more about jaundice care, click here for Mayo Clinic, here for the NHS, or here for Healthy Children¹²¹³¹⁴.

Focusing on the right care plan can help a child with jaundice recover smoothly. Parents and caregivers play a big part in this process.

Explaining Jaundice to a Child

Explaining jaundice to a child is like breaking down a complex topic into simple parts. Let’s learn about it step by step!

What is Jaundice?

Jaundice makes our skin and eyes turn yellow. It’s because of a yellow substance, bilirubin, in our bodies. Bilirubin is like mixing paints to get a new color!

Why Does Jaundice Happen?

Jaundice occurs when our bodies need a closer look. Many reasons can cause it, and it’s not anyone’s fault. For newborns, jaundice is very common and goes away on its own¹⁵.

If a baby has trouble with breastfeeding, it might lead to jaundice. This is normal. With a little extra help and practice, things get better¹⁵¹⁶.

Healthy babies might also get breast milk jaundice later on. It’s not scary and goes away by itself¹⁵.

Sometimes, jaundice can be serious due to other health issues. But this is rare, and our healthcare team is here to help if needed¹⁵.

Will It Go Away?

Jaundice often goes away without much treatment. It resolves within 1 to 2 weeks for most newborns. Newborn jaundice is truly an interesting condition¹⁵.

To make sure, doctors check a baby’s bilirubin levels with a simple test. It’s not painful, just like taking a picture inside our bodies. If needed, doctors will suggest a simple treatment plan¹⁵.

How is Jaundice Treated?

Jaundice treatment varies. Sometimes, babies need a special light, phototherapy, to help the body get rid of bilirubin. In severe cases, advanced treatments like exchange transfusion may be necessary¹⁵.

Stay Curious!

I hope this made jaundice clearer for you. It’s just our bodies working in interesting ways. Feel free to ask questions. Remember, your healthcare team is always ready to help. Stay curious and know that your body is an amazing, unique creation!

Supporting a Child with Jaundice

When a child has jaundice, parents and caregivers play a vital role. They must support the child both emotionally and practically. Understanding the condition is key to the child’s health and recovery.

Emotional Support

Finding out your child has jaundice can be a lot to handle. It might make you and your child feel worried or stressed. It’s very important to support them emotionally. Talking openly and honestly can help a lot.

Let your child know jaundice is common, especially in babies born early¹⁷. Tell them most cases get better on their own¹⁷. This information can help take away some of their worries.

Education

Learning about jaundice is key to helping your child. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider and read up on the topic. Use trusted online sources like childrenswi.org and myhealth.alberta.ca. They offer good info on managing jaundice.

Tell your child what you’ve learned¹⁸. It’s important they listen to their healthcare provider and take any medicine as told. This is crucial for getting better.

Practical Tips

Here are practical tips for managing jaundice in children:

1. Make sure your child drinks enough water¹⁸.
2. Encourage them to eat healthy, including fruits and veggies for their liver.
3. Avoid alcohol and some medicines that can make jaundice worse.
4. Set a feeding routine and ensure your child eats well¹⁸.
5. Keep their skin dry and clean.
6. Use natural, indirect sunlight for jaundice that’s not severe¹⁷.
7. If needed, see a doctor for phototherapy¹⁷.

Follow these tips to help your child with jaundice get better. Their well-being depends on it.

To support a child with jaundice, you need to give lots of love and understanding. Being there for them in every way possible is incredibly important. This helps in their recovery and overall happiness.

When to Seek Medical Help

If your baby looks yellow, it’s vital to figure out when to find medical help. Jaundice is usually a common issue for babies when they’re born. But, there are times when it becomes serious and needs quick treatment.

Seeing your child become more yellow, especially their skin or eyes, means you should get help right away.

Here are some other times when you should consider getting medical aid:

• High fever
• Poor feeding
• Listlessness
• Severe itching

These symptoms might point to a more serious issue. To play it safe, talk to your child’s doctor if you’re not sure. They can offer advice and check your baby to see what needs to be done.

Catching jaundice early and treating it quickly can avoid more problems down the road. Don’t be afraid to talk to a doctor if you’re worried about your baby’s jaundice.

References:

1. Newborn jaundice affects nearly all babies and is caused by a mild to moderate increase in bilirubin levels.
2. Jaundice often reaches its highest levels three to four days after birth and usually goes away by one to two weeks after birth.
3. Babies with higher levels of bilirubin in the blood have severe hyperbilirubinemia, a more serious condition that could develop within the first day after birth.
4. Phototherapy is a common treatment for jaundice in newborns.
5. Regular follow-up visits with a doctor are essential for babies at risk of hyperbilirubinemia to prevent serious complications.

Conclusion

Jaundice is a condition both parents and kids need to know about. It makes the skin and eyes look yellow. Different things, like problems with the liver or blood diseases, can cause it. For the best outcome, spotting the signs early and getting medical help is key.

Talking to a child about jaundice might be hard. But, using simple words and being there for them really helps. It’s all about making sure kids know what’s happening and that they’re not alone. This support is vital.

Jaundice is pretty common in newborns. Most babies will have some level of it. Often, just more milk for the baby or lights can treat it. But, if it gets bad and it’s not treated, big problems can happen. Acting fast is important.

Knowing about jaundice and how to handle it is crucial for a child’s health. If needed, see a doctor right away. Give your kid the love and comfort they need. This way, they’ll get through jaundice feeling safe and supported.

²⁰²¹²²