The baby looks yellow at birth, is this normal?

Babies often look yellow when they are newborn. This is because bilirubin levels in infants have increased. This condition does not always indicate that the baby has jaundice. Infant jaundice, also known as jaundice, can usually be identified on the baby's skin and eyes.

Why does the baby look yellow?

Bilirubin is the final product that results from the breakdown of heme, a component of red blood cells. Under normal pH conditions, bilirubin is a substance that is insoluble in blood plasma that requires binding of albumin. Bilirubin will be conjugated in the liver and then removed by bile.

Neonatal bilirubin is higher than adults. This is caused by the relative condition of polycythemia and the increased process of red blood cell degradation at birth. In addition, a condition of the liver that is not completely perfect causes a decrease in the cleansing of bilirubun liver. The reabsorption of baby bilirubin by enterohepatic circulation also makes the baby appear yellow.

In addition, an increase in total serum bilirubin levels in infants in excess of 5 to 7 mg / dL also results in yellow babies. Bilirubin levels in infants will reach the same level seen in adults 14 days after birth.

Physiological jaundice

In most cases, a yellow baby at birth is a normal condition or called physiological jaundice. However, too high levels of bilirubin can cause nerve damage and be fatal.

Physiological jaundice usually occurs 24 to 72 hours after the baby is born. At the age of 3 days, the total baby bilirubin level will reach a maximum level of 12-15 mg / dL and then decrease. In premature babies, the maximum level of infant bilirubin usually reaches 2 or 3 days of age and can reach 15 mg / dL.

What are the signs of abnormal jaundice?
Some signs that jaundice or jaundice in a baby is not a physiological condition include:

Jaundice in infants occurs at less than 24 hours after birth. In some cases, yellow babies that appear after 18 hours are still considered physiological conditions.
Jaundice appears on the arms and legs on the second day. In addition, palms and feet appear yellow. This shows that total baby bilirubin levels are too high.
Jaundice under normal circumstances will disappear in 2 weeks in term infants and up to 3 weeks in premature or premature babies. If, after a time limit, the baby still looks yellow, it is a sign of interference in the baby.
If a laboratory test is performed, the baby's bilirubin level increases by more than 0.2 mg / dL / hour or more than 5 mg / dL in 24 hours. If the direct bilirubin is greater than 1.5-2 mg / dL, this condition shows a warning sign.

Risk of encephalopathy with bilirubin
Too high levels of bilirubin can cause unconjugated bilirubin to cross the blood-brain barrier (a defense mechanism). Because of its toxic nature, there is a possibility that the brain has fatal nerve damage.

This condition is called bilirubin encephalopathy or kernicterus. In addition to yellow skin, symptoms can occur, namely babies who have difficulty sleeping, decreased urine production and babies who are dark and difficult, and who do not want to breastfeed.

In severe conditions, the baby may cry constantly, the body looks stiff or weak, there are eye movements and seizures that are not coordinated. Yellow baby condition and accompanied by these signs, need immediate treatment by a doctor.