There is a reality that gets me really worried whenever I hear of it. It is one thing for a woman to get pregnant, get through the nine months of pregnancy successfully, have a successful childbirth experience, but having a healthy baby is another concern. I saw a video of a woman who had a sick child, and what she had to go through daily was highly disturbing. I felt so much pity for her.
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The condition of her child started with having jaundice from birth, then it progressed into something very terrible. Jaundice is a condition that is liver-related, and it causes skin yellowing and whitening of the eyes, while these two are usually the major signs, there are other less obvious symptoms.
Jaundice happens as a result of hyperbilirubinemia, which is the buildup of a substance known as bilirubin in the bloodstream. Biluribin is produced during the breakdown of red blood cells, which is a normal process. It is an orange-yellowish substance that usually passes through the liver and is then excreted from the body.
At the time when high levels of bilirubin are found in the blood, jaundice occurs. When jaundice happens in either a child or an adult, it is an indication of a health challenge that requires treatment, so it is not something to sweep under the rug; a visit to a medical expert is important.
When jaundice happens to an infant, it is usually because the liver is not properly developed yet to break down and excrete bilirubin appropriately, and generally, it is classified into three types. Physiological jaundice is a quite common type that happens when bilirubin does not move out of the body fast enough. This type usually goes away on its own by the time the baby is 2 weeks old, but if it continues, it means treatment is required.
Breastfeeding jaundice is more common amongst breastfed babies than those who are formula-fed. It happens more during the first week of life of the baby, it happens when the baby does not get enough breast milk or as a result of nursing difficulty, and this type of jaundice may take a longer time before it goes away.
Pathological jaundice is the other type, which happens due to the presence of several infectious, genetic, or endocrine diseases, whose effect can prevent the liver from processing bilirubin the way it should.
However, in older children, there are other causes that we can generally divide into three.
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Obstructive jaundice happens as a result of a blockage in the bile duct between the liver and the pancreas. Hepatocellular jaundice appears if there is a liver disease or damage, and hemolytic jaundice develops when there is an abnormal breakdown of red blood cells, creating an excessive level of bilirubin in the blood.
Apart from the yellowing of the skin, other signs like abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, and fever are other symptoms that need to be taken seriously. None of the symptoms of jaundice should be taken for granted, especially when it is accompanied by other symptoms; get to an emergency center as quickly as possible.
The treatment of jaundice in children is highly dependent on the underlying conditions. For newborns, phototherapy is the available option, which exposes the child to a special blue light that can help reduce bilirubin levels. If the problem is related to accelerated red blood cell destruction, then your doctor may recommend blood transfusions, medications, and other medical procedures that would separate the plasma from blood cells.
Newborns who have been found to have a high level of bilirubin would require a blood exchange transfusion. During this treatment, a small amount of blood is withdrawn and given to the child to help boost red blood cell count and drive down levels of bilirubin.
If a child who has a high level of bilirubin is not treated on time, there is a high chance of brain damage, medically known as kernicterus. I think this is what the woman I saw in a video of her child yesterday experienced. This is another call for us to watch out for signs on time and begin to opt for available treatment options before situations get out of hand.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/jaundice-newborn/
https://www.healthline.com/health/jaundice-in-children#outlook
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/jaundice-in-children
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/jaundice.aspx
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22263-jaundice-in-newborns
Hi, I am Tobi, a writer, speaker, relationship blogger, and lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people. Want to hear me speak on relationships and general life issues? You can find my YouTube channel where you can listen to and watch any episode for free. Please, do not forget to subscribe, friends. I sincerely appreciate every love I get from here. Kindly do well to keep them coming.