How to treat jaundice?

New parents, did your baby develop jaundice before the age of one month? Don't be nervous or panic, neonatal jaundice is a common clinical problem. Jaundice in newborns is a very common condition. Generally, pediatric jaundice can be treated with light or medication. Daily sun exposure can also treat mild jaundice. Learn more about how to treat jaundice?

1. Do the appropriate inspection

1. Bilirubin test

Bilirubin is an important indicator for the diagnosis of neonatal jaundice. Serum bilirubin concentration (TSB) can be measured by venous blood or micro-blood method. The transcutaneous bilirubin meter is a non-invasive test with easy operation. Once the transcutaneous bilirubin reaches a certain limit value, serum bilirubin needs to be tested.

2. Other auxiliary examinations

Routine examinations of red blood cells, hemoglobin, reticulocytes, and nucleated red blood cells are required in neonatal jaundice. Blood type, including the blood type of the father, mother, and newborn (ABO and Rh systems), is very important, especially when hemolytic disease of the newborn is suspected. If necessary, further serum specific antibody testing can be performed to assist in diagnosis. Liver function test, etc.

Second, the following methods are mainly used to treat neonatal jaundice clinically:

1. Light therapy

Illumination is a simple and effective method to reduce serum unconjugated bilirubin. Place the newborn baby in a phototherapy box, protect both eyes with black eye masks to avoid damaging the retina, cover the perineum and anus with a diaper, and leave the rest of the body exposed. Use single-sided or double-sided light irradiation for 2-48 hours (generally not more than 4 days). Treatment can be stopped when bilirubin drops below 7 mg/dL.

2. Exchange blood therapy

Exchange transfusion can effectively reduce bilirubin, replace sensitized red blood cells and alleviate anemia. However, blood transfusion requires certain conditions and may also produce some adverse reactions, so the indications should be strictly followed.

3. Drug treatment

Give albumin, correct metabolic acidosis, liver enzyme inducers (eg, phenobarbital), and IV immune globulin.

4. Supportive treatment

The main thing is to actively prevent and treat hypoxia, hypercapnia, cold injury, hunger, infection, and hyperosmotic drug infusion, prevent temporary opening of the blood-brain barrier, and prevent the occurrence of bilirubin encephalopathy.