Jaundice in infants is jaundice of the skin and eyes in the newborn period. It occurs as a result of excessive accumulation of bilirubin in the baby's blood. Bilirubin is a yellow color pigment in red blood cells. Neonatal jaundice is a common condition. Especially 38. It is common in babies born before the week and in breastfed babies.
In newborns, the liver may have difficulty clearing bilirubin, which is produced when red blood cells break down, from the blood. Jaundice can sometimes be caused by an underlying condition. Most cases of newborn jaundice do not require treatment. When treatment is needed, phototherapy is used. Severe jaundice that is left untreated can, in rare cases, cause brain damage.
Usually, jaundice develops on the baby's face first. Later, jaundice develops in the eyes, chest, abdomen, arms and hands. If you suspect jaundice in your baby, gently press on the baby's nose or forehead in natural daylight. If the place you press is yellow, it means that the baby has jaundice. If it looks lighter than the other skin for a second, there is no jaundice. But if you are unsure, you should definitely take the baby for a check-up. During the hospital stay, the baby's jaundice is evaluated every 12 hours. Generally, between the 3rd and 7th days, the baby's jaundice reaches the maximum level. In this respect, the baby should be checked again after 2-3 days to evaluate the baby's jaundice after discharge.
The most important factor in preventing jaundice is frequent breastfeeding of the baby. Especially in the first few days after birth, the baby should be fed 12 times a day. It is appropriate for formula-fed babies to be fed with 30-60 ml of formula every two to three hours.
If the baby has jaundice all over the body (including the abdomen, arms and legs), if the baby's eyes are yellow, if it is difficult to wake the baby and if the jaundice lasts more than 3 weeks, it may be a sign of serious jaundice and it is necessary to be careful in this respect.