Physiological Jaundice

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Physiological Jaundice

by Aisha
(Ashgabat,Turkmenistan)

Hello doctor, it's almost 40 days for my little boy since he is born.

2 weeks ago doctor said that he is a little bit yellow and needs some treatment, like glucose water mixed with charcol(carbon tablet) of 200ml per day. My son is refusing to drink, hardly takes 100ml, I checked his bilirubin level 1 week ago it was 5.8, I again started to give glucose and after 5 days checked bilirubin was 6.3.

I am worried why its increasing, local doctor said its because of not enough glucose. Can you suggest me what I have to do?

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Physiological Jaundice

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Dec 03, 2008

A few comments about jaundice
by: Baby Help Line

Hi Aisha!

First of all I must stress that I am not a doctor. So what I can tell you here comes from my experience as a parent and a parent advisor.

I do have some experience with jaundice, because one of our kids got it. And I've spent a good two hours reading about it now to try to help you.

I have a feeling that there is a slight confusion here. What babies in most cases need when they have jaundice is liquid and sun light. So if you breastfeed, do that as much as you can and keep your baby in daylight as much as you can. Not in direct sun light, but as much day light a possible with as little clothes as possible. Put the crib by the window. Take long stroller walks. Nurse in a chair by the window.

The glucose, I believe, is only to make your baby drink more water. Is your baby increasing in weight? Does he wet several diapers every day? Is is urine clear? If so, then you can safely nurse him instead of offering water to help him get rid of the jaundice.

The charcoal might help, but it is not a common treatment. Phototherapy is much more common, actually the norm. And home treatment is generally what I just told you; breastfeeding and daylight.

There is one type of jaunice that is called breast milk jaundice, only becasue it occurs in breastfed babies. This type of jaundice usually peaks at around 3 weeks old, but takes up to three months to disappear completely. It is not dangerous at all and no treatment is needed.

The bilirubin level that your baby has; around 6 isn't very high, and hence could indicate breast milk jaundice.

All this said, I still think you should take your son to see another doctor if possible. Since you are worried, and the treatment your doctor is recommending doesn't help, a second opinion is always good.

In rare cases some other illness is the reason to why the jaundice doesn't disappear, and this can only be evaluated by a doctor.

Below you'll find an excellent article with more information about breast milk jaundice.

Breastfeeding and jaundice

I really wish you good luck!

Please let me know about your son's progress. He is lucky to have such an engaged mom!

/Paula

Dec 04, 2008

Physiological Jaundice
by: Aisha

Dear Paula,
Thank you very much for your advice, this is what i am doing now. I have stopped giving glucose, cant see my child crying all the time, i just give him 20-30 ml a day. Also doctor has pruscribed viferon suppositories (its antiviral and boost his immune system, every 12 hours). His nose wasn't clear, so doctor said it might be cold. Now he is fine, only on my milk +20ml of glucose. Regarding sun, its winter time and very less sun over here. In 2 days time i have to visit doctor and check his bilirubin again.One more thing Paula, not sure whether it's related, but i am unable to get answer, hope someone can help me. Every year i do tumor marker, and this time my CA15-3 is rised to 400, when normal value frm 0-25. I dont have any symptoms of breast cancer, only urine infection almost every month, but during pregnancy it didnt disturb me. Doctor here doesnt know why its so high, they suspect that it might be bcs of breastfeeding, as that can be a course of high numbers. I cant do any further test as for that i have to stop breasfeeding. What should i do? Does my child's case with jaundice anyhow related to my problem?
thank you

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