What causes jaundice in newborns?

The primary cause of jaundice in newborns is the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood, which is a byproduct of the normal breakdown of red blood cells.

Newborns are more prone to jaundice because their livers are not fully developed, making it harder for them to process and eliminate bilirubin efficiently.

Breastfeeding can sometimes contribute to jaundice if a newborn is not getting enough milk, leading to dehydration and decreased bilirubin excretion. This is often referred to as breastfeeding jaundice.

Yes, blood type incompatibility between the mother and baby, such as Rh or ABO incompatibility, can lead to increased red blood cell breakdown, causing jaundice.

Physiological jaundice is a common and usually harmless type of jaundice that occurs in most newborns as their livers mature and begin to process bilirubin more effectively.

Premature infants are at higher risk for jaundice because their livers are even less mature than those of full-term infants, leading to slower processing of bilirubin.

Yes, genetic conditions such as G6PD deficiency can lead to increased breakdown of red blood cells, increasing the risk of jaundice.

Yes, infections present at birth, such as sepsis or certain viral infections, can cause liver damage or increased red blood cell breakdown, leading to jaundice.

Breast milk jaundice is a type of jaundice that may occur in healthy breastfed babies, usually emerging after the first 3-5 days and peaking at about two weeks of age due to substances in breast milk that can increase bilirubin levels.

Jaundice in newborns typically manifests as a yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high levels of bilirubin.

Certain medications taken by the mother during pregnancy can affect the newborn’s liver function or cause hemolysis, potentially leading to jaundice.

Hematomas, which are collections of blood outside of blood vessels, can increase red blood cell breakdown when the body reabsorbs the blood, leading to higher bilirubin levels and jaundice.

Yes, delayed passage of meconium, which is the baby’s first stool, can lead to increased reabsorption of bilirubin in the intestines, contributing to jaundice.

Yes, newborns with certain metabolic disorders such as hypothyroidism or galactosemia may have impaired bilirubin processing, increasing the risk of jaundice.

Internal bleeding or extensive bruising can cause a significant breakdown of red blood cells, which may elevate bilirubin levels and lead to jaundice.

While usually benign, jaundice can occasionally indicate liver disease or other serious conditions affecting the liver's ability to process bilirubin.

Dehydration can reduce the clearance of bilirubin because it decreases the volume of biliary fluids needed to excrete bilirubin, exacerbating jaundice.

Newborns naturally have a high turnover of red blood cells, which leads to more bilirubin production; if not cleared quickly due to immature liver function, this can cause jaundice.

If untreated, severe jaundice can lead to kernicterus, a form of brain damage caused by bilirubin depositing in the brain tissues.

If jaundice is noticed in a newborn, it's important to consult a healthcare professional to evaluate bilirubin levels and determine if treatment is necessary.