What is the most common treatment for infants with moderate jaundice?

The baby’s liver will take only a few days to process bilirubin properly. moderate jaundice – phototherapy is the most common treatment. Phototherapy transforms the bilirubin in the baby’s skin into a less harmful chemical.

How do you treat neonatal jaundice?

For moderate or severe jaundice, your baby may need to stay longer in the newborn nursery or be readmitted to the hospital….Treatments to lower the level of bilirubin in your baby’s blood may include:

1. Enhanced nutrition.
2. Light therapy (phototherapy).
3. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg).
4. Exchange transfusion.

Why does mild hyperbilirubinemia occur in newborns?

Hyperbilirubinemia is primarily caused by underlying liver or biliary disease. Hyperbilirubinemia in newborns is caused by a delay in efficient clearance of bilirubin from the blood.

Why are some babies born with jaundice?

Infant jaundice occurs because the baby’s blood contains an excess of bilirubin (bil-ih-ROO-bin), a yellow pigment of red blood cells. Infant jaundice is a common condition, particularly in babies born before 38 weeks’ gestation (preterm babies) and some breast-fed babies.

How does phototherapy cure jaundice?

Phototherapy is treatment with a special type of light (not sunlight). It’s sometimes used to treat newborn jaundice by lowering the bilirubin levels in your baby’s blood through a process called photo-oxidation. Photo-oxidation adds oxygen to the bilirubin so it dissolves easily in water.

What do high bilirubin levels mean for newborns?

Symptoms of high bilirubin levels in newborns are skin and/or scleral jaundice . High bilirubin levels in a newborn means that the neonate is not processing red cell breakdown effectively or an underlying cause is responsible. The treatment for elevated bilirubin in adults depends on the underlying problems. Experts suggest avoiding alcohol.