Jaundice, or hyperbilirubinemia, is a condition that can develop in infants between the first two and four days of life. It results from high levels of bilirubin, or bile, present in the blood. A fully developed liver can filter and eliminate bilirubin, but the unripe liver of infants can cause jaundice to develop. While there is no surefire way to completely prevent the risk of jaundice, knowing the risk factors can help. Many of these factors are unavoidable, but knowing whether or not they apply to your pregnancy can help you determine what steps you need to take to prevent and prepare for neonatal jaundice.
Steps
Step 1. Do blood tests during pregnancy
Some incompatibilities in blood groups can cause more blood cells to break down, producing more bilirubin.
- Mothers with Rh negative or 0+ blood should consider having their babies undergo additional blood tests, as Rh and AB0 incompatibility are among the most important risk factors.
- Genetic enzyme deficiencies, such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, can also lead to a higher risk of blood cell destruction.
Step 2. Reduce the risk of premature birth
The liver of a premature baby is even less developed than that of one born at the end of gestation, making it even more difficult for the baby's liver to eliminate bilirubin. Some risk factors for premature birth, such as age or multiple birth, are unavoidable. However, many environmental risks may not be.
- Follow the latest prenatal care. Prompt and constant prenatal care will ensure you and your baby keep you as healthy as possible during pregnancy.
- Avoid chemical contaminants. Tobacco, alcohol, and drugs can increase the risks of premature birth. Environmental pollutants can also contribute to increased risk.
- Stay calm as much as possible. Stress is a major risk factor for premature birth. Lack of social support, physically or emotionally demanding work, and domestic violence, both physical and emotional, can also contribute.
Step 3. Cut back on medications you take during labor
Some studies suggest that taking medications during labor may increase the chances of developing infantile jaundice, although many studies are somewhat inconclusive. Either way, you should consider minimizing your medication intake.
- Some studies suggest that IV glucose / dextrose given during the introduction of oxytocin, a process that speeds up labor, may help increase the chances of getting jaundice.
- Bupivacaine, an anesthetic administered via an epidural procedure, may also be linked in some way to the development of jaundice, but this is a still debated and unproven idea.
Step 4. Start breastfeeding early
Mothers who start breastfeeding within the first few hours after their baby is born are more likely to be successful than those who are expecting. Timely weight gain can help the baby's development by making the liver work easier. In addition, the colostrum produced by the mother in the first period prompts the baby's digestive system to eliminate excrement, which helps to expel excess bilirubin from the intestines.
Step 5. Feed your baby frequently
Regular feeding of milk will increase your baby's weight and development, including liver development. This applies to both breastfed and formula fed babies. Ideally, babies should eat at least 8 to 12 times a day in the first few days, especially if they are at risk of developing jaundice.
If you decide to breastfeed your baby, work with a lactation specialist to improve your breastfeeding technique. These professionals can help new mothers learn how to breastfeed babies correctly so they can get enough milk
Step 6. Expose your baby to light
Bilirubin reacts to light, changing it into a form that does not need to pass through the liver in order to be expelled, thereby reducing the risk of jaundice. Expose the naked child to sunlight for no more than 5 minutes at a time, once or twice a day. Do not exceed this limit, because prolonged exposure to the sun can cause the child to burn very easily and create further complications.
