Jaundice, also known as icterus,
is a yellowish pigmentation of the skin, the conjunctival membranes over the
sclerae (whites of the eyes), and other mucous membranes caused by high blood
bilirubin levels. Concentration of bilirubin in blood plasma is normally below
1.2 mg/dL. A concentration higher than 3 mg/dL leads to jaundice (Dahl-Smith,
Fowler, DuBose, Deneau-Saxton, & Herbert, 2013). Bilirubin is
a bye-product of the daily natural breakdown and destruction of red blood cells
in the body. The haemoglobin molecule that is released into the blood by this
process is split, with the heme portion undergoing a chemical conversion to
bilirubin.
is a yellowish pigmentation of the skin, the conjunctival membranes over the
sclerae (whites of the eyes), and other mucous membranes caused by high blood
bilirubin levels. Concentration of bilirubin in blood plasma is normally below
1.2 mg/dL. A concentration higher than 3 mg/dL leads to jaundice (Dahl-Smith,
Fowler, DuBose, Deneau-Saxton, & Herbert, 2013). Bilirubin is
a bye-product of the daily natural breakdown and destruction of red blood cells
in the body. The haemoglobin molecule that is released into the blood by this
process is split, with the heme portion undergoing a chemical conversion to
bilirubin.
Normally, the liver metabolizes and excretes the bilirubin in the
form of bile. However, if there is a disruption in this normal metabolism
and/or production of bilirubin, jaundice may result (Shinde
& Chatterjea, 2012).
Infant
jaundice is a common condition, particularly in babies born before 38 weeks
gestation (preterm babies) and some breast-fed babies. Infant jaundice usually
occurs because a baby’s liver is not mature enough to get rid of bilirubin in
the bloodstream. When the baby is growing in the mother’s womb, the placenta
removes bilirubin from the baby’s body. After birth, the baby’s liver starts
doing this job. It may take some time for the baby’s liver to be able to do
this efficiently (Collier, Longore, Turmezei & Mafi, 2010).
jaundice is a common condition, particularly in babies born before 38 weeks
gestation (preterm babies) and some breast-fed babies. Infant jaundice usually
occurs because a baby’s liver is not mature enough to get rid of bilirubin in
the bloodstream. When the baby is growing in the mother’s womb, the placenta
removes bilirubin from the baby’s body. After birth, the baby’s liver starts
doing this job. It may take some time for the baby’s liver to be able to do
this efficiently (Collier, Longore, Turmezei & Mafi, 2010).
This
condition is often seen in infants around the second day after birth, lasting
until day 8 in normal births, or to around day 14 in premature births. In some
cases, an underlying disease may cause jaundice. Severe newborn jaundice may
occur if the baby has a condition that increases the number of red blood cells
that need to be replaced in the body, such as abnormal blood
cell shapes, blood type mismatch between the mother and baby, Bleeding
underneath the scalp caused by a difficult delivery, higher levels of red blood
cells, which is more common in small-for-gestational-age babies and some twins,
Infection and Lack (deficiency) of certain important proteins, called enzymes
(Hall & Guyton, 2011).
condition is often seen in infants around the second day after birth, lasting
until day 8 in normal births, or to around day 14 in premature births. In some
cases, an underlying disease may cause jaundice. Severe newborn jaundice may
occur if the baby has a condition that increases the number of red blood cells
that need to be replaced in the body, such as abnormal blood
cell shapes, blood type mismatch between the mother and baby, Bleeding
underneath the scalp caused by a difficult delivery, higher levels of red blood
cells, which is more common in small-for-gestational-age babies and some twins,
Infection and Lack (deficiency) of certain important proteins, called enzymes
(Hall & Guyton, 2011).