Neonatal Jaundice Treatment

Jaundice Overview

Jaundice is a common and often harmless condition in newborns, so neonatal jaundice treatment is usually not required. Basically, jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes, is caused by an excess amount of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is substance that is created when the body breaks down old red blood cells. But when jaundice occurs in adults, it is a symptoms of an underlying condition.

Possible Causes of Jaundice

Neonatal jaundice is caused by a buildup of bilirubin during pregnancy. In adults, jaundice can be caused by a variety of conditions, and it can even be a symptom of STDs. The following a few causes:

• Hepatitis C and other strains of hepatitis B.
• Cirrhosis, a complication of hepatitis C or alcoholism
• Obstruction of the bile duct, often caused by gallstones or tumors
• Pancreatic cancer
• Malaria

Diagnosing Adult and Neonatal Jaundice

Neonatal jaundice can be diagnosed by a visual inspection of the child, but doctors will do a full examination to evaluate an infant’s health at birth to make sure the jaundice is normal. Along with the child’s weight, vitals, and eating habits, a doctor will take not if there are any family or maternal conditions that may cause jaundice, such as hepatitis C.

In adults, hepatitis C, the most common cause of jaundice, can be diagnosed through STD testing and hepatitis C testing. Hepatitis C is often transmitted through sex, sharing needles, or contact with blood. STD and hepatitis testing can provide a diagnosis or rule out hepatitis C within just a few short days.

Adult and Neonatal Jaundice Treatment

In the majority of cases, there is no specific treatment for neonatal jaundice. Most cases clear up without treatment within a few days. However, it is important to monitor the jaundice and make sure the condition doesn’t worsen.

Adult jaundice treatment varies based on the diagnosis. With hepatitis C, the treatment depends if the infection is acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis C often does not require treatment, whereas chronic infections require antiviral medication. In serious cases of cirrhosis, a patient may need a liver transplant. Other causes of jaundice will require specific treatment based on a doctor’s recommendations.