The first days of a baby’s life are possibly those that generate the most stress and worries for first-time parents, who are still learning how to adapt to this new stage in their life and the care that their newborn needs. And, of course, this also means being attentive to any type of change that is perceived in the child and that could reveal some type of disorder or illness. It is therefore common that, if you notice how the skin of the baby’s face turns somewhat yellowish, all the alarms go off due to a possible case of jaundice.
When red blood cells break down in the bloodstream, the consequence of this process is the release of bilirubin. If the newborn’s liver is not yet able to eliminate it, it accumulates and causes jaundice, which is characterized by the yellowish tone that the skin acquires. It often happens a few days after birth and usually disappears without the need for intervention within a couple of weeks. However, it is important to pay attention and ensure that it does not worsen and require medical intervention.
The clearest symptom that reveals jaundice in newborns has to do with the change in the color of the skin on the face, which acquires a yellow hue. Although this starts in the face area, it can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the arms, legs, chest or even the eyes. As mentioned above, jaundice does not usually require any specific treatment, since it most commonly disappears after a few weeks. However, it will be necessary to go to the doctor if any of the following symptoms are observed.
Once this series of symptoms that indicate a worsening of jaundice have been observed, the first thing to do will be to go to the doctor to make a proper diagnosis. To do this, a blood test, a skin examination, using a specialized device, and a physical examination will be performed. With all this data, the health professional will be able to determine the child’s condition and whether it is necessary to apply some type of treatment for jaundice. This will depend on the severity of the case, and light therapy or an intravenous transfusion may be necessary, among others.