Jaundice is a liver disorder which is caused by overproduction of bilirubin. This may happen due to any liver damage or infection like hepatitis. It may also induce by anemic conditions. It is manifested by yellowing of skin and eyes. Yellow colored urine and changed stool color is also a sign of jaundice. Vomiting, abdominal pain, and weight loss may also see during this condition. Infantile jaundice occurs because the baby's blood contains an excess of bilirubin, a yellow pigment in red blood cells.
Infantile jaundice is a common disease, especially in babies born before the 38th week of pregnancy (premature babies), and in some breastfed babies. Infant jaundice usually occurs because a baby's liver is not mature enough to eliminate bilirubin in the blood. In some babies, an underlying condition can cause jaundice. Most babies born between the 35th week of pregnancy and their pregnancy do not need to be treated for jaundice. In rare cases, abnormally high levels of bilirubin in the blood can cause neonatal brain damage, especially if certain risk factors for severe jaundice exist. Treatment of jaundice depends on its cause. Anemia-induced jaundice is treated by enhancing the amount of iron in the blood while hepatitis-induced jaundice is treated with antiviral or steroid medication.
