Jaundice in babies, infant jaundice
It is not uncommon for a baby to develop jaundice during the first few days after birth, especially if the infant is premature. This is known as physiological jaundice, and is usually caused by a liver that is not fully functional. There are usually no other symptoms, and the condition typically clears up within a week, as the liver matures. Exposing the baby to ultraviolet light hastens the process, as the light changes biliru. bin to a form that is more readily excreted.
Feeding the infant soon after birth and con tinuing with frequent feedings helps to reduce the risk of jaundice by stimulating the intestinal tract to produce frequent stools, which increases the excretion of bilirubin. In a few cases the newborn may be reacting to the mother’s milk, and breast-feeding must be discontinued for a day or two in favor of a formula. After this resolves the problem, the mother may resume breast-feeding safely.
