Q&A I’m worried about baby jaundice
SHOULD YOUR INFANT REQUIRE TREATMENT FOR JAUNDICE, YOUR PAEDIATRICIAN WILL RECOMMEND PHOTOTHERAPY.
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Is there anything I can do to avoid my newborn getting jaundice? My first didn’t. She was born in Germany in winter, and I remember that they gave her vit D supplement (I think) that could have prevented it. My second was born here and developed jaundice, even though I did nothing differently. It was so bad that we struggled to wake her up for a feed. With the pandemic I really want to avoid having to go back to hospital for treatment with my third baby who arrives soon. Also, of course, I have two other children at home.
DR COMBRINK ANSWERS: During pregnancy your baby is equipped with an adequate amount of red blood cells to increase the oxygen-carrying capacity in an oxygen-poor environment. After birth, your baby starts to breathe on their own in an oxygen-rich environment. As there is no need for increased red blood cells, they are broken down. Bilirubin is formed during the breakdown of haemoglobin (part of the red blood cells that carry O2) and causes a yellow discoloration of a newborn baby’s skin and eyes that we call jaundice. Physiological jaundice is visible between days two to three of life, peaks between days three to five and starts dropping between days five and seven. Factors that may aggravate the level of physiological jaundice is prematurity, low birth weight, poor feeding, infection or bruising due to birth trauma. Early onset jaundice (within the first 24 hours of life) and jaundice that persists beyond 14 days are causes for concern and need to be investigated. Deterioration of severe physiological jaundice can be prevented by nursing infants at least eight to 12 times per day for the first week after birth and regularly checking for jaundice. Should your infant require treatment for jaundice, your paediatrician will recommend phototherapy.
Phototherapy is most effective with blue light of 425-475nm wavelength. Medical phototherapy equipment is available for rent in metropolitan areas via midwives or private nursing staff. Feel free to enquire with your paediatrician or the hospital where you will deliver. If you feel uncomfortable with home treatment, the equipment is readily available at hospitals as well – however, this will require re-admission. European countries routinely advise vitamin D supplementation for children under 1 year of age, due to limited sun exposure. Your baby needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus. Too little vitamin D can cause rickets, a softening and weakening of bones. South African guidelines do not currently recommend routine use of vitamin D in the prevention or treatment of jaundice. ●