A. When should I be concerned about jaundice?
Certain risk factors increases the chance that jaundice becomes severe needing timely intervention. The absence of these risk factors however does not rule out the chance of developing severe jaundice. Therefore, assessment by a clinician whenever you are concerned about jaundice becomes vital.
B. Should I breast feed the baby with jaundice?
Breast feeding should be continued adequately. But in some instances of Breastmilk jaundice if decided by the Doctor, it may need to be switched to formula feed for 48-72 hours. This is decided by your pediatrician.
C. Should mother avoid turmeric or other food if baby has jaundice?
Mother need not abstain from any food. Baby’s jaundice is not related to mothers food but is caused by bilirubin produced in baby’s blood itself.
D. What will Doctor do to check the jaundice?
If the jaundice appears less from clinical visual assessment, doctor will simply advice you to follow up after few days. But it it appears high then he/she will perform some tests.Jaundice can be checked by device from skin with out pricking for blood or by sending blood samples.
E. If jaundice is severe, what are the treatments available?
There are 2 effective treatments.
Other modalities are drug therapy like Phenobarbitone, etc. that are all decided by doctor in special circumstances.
F. If my jaundiced baby required extensive management, what else will I need to do?
For severe cases, doctor will advice you to perform hearing evaluation on a later date, as high bilirubin can cause hearing defects.
G. What happens if significant jaundice is not treated?
If the level of bilirubin in blood crosses significant level, it may cross the blood brain barrier and affect the brain causing damage. Therefore, whenever a concern of jaundice is there, a visit to a doctor is important and also if the baby has been discharged early from the Hospital, a quicker follow up with in days is required.
MD Pediatrics and Fellowship Neonatology, he chooses to stay anonymous. He often writes his views online as well as share few important topics for medical students, doctors and specially parents. He does research in pediatrics.