Bilirubin in the baby
In the womb, the unborn child needs a special form of haemoglobin, called fetal haemoglobin. This binds oxygen more tightly and thus allows the foetus to be supplied with oxygen via the placenta. After birth, this fetal haemoglobin is broken down.
A lot of bilirubin is produced at once. At the same time, the newborn’s liver is not yet fully mature and the enzymes of the bilirubin metabolism appear to be inhibited in the infant by components of breast milk. All this can lead to jaundice in newborn babies from the third day of life onwards, which subsides over the course of a week.
However, since very high bilirubin levels can damage the central nervous system – the so-called kernicterus – this is usually treated by blue light phototherapy. Here, the infants are irradiated with light from the bluish spectrum. This light is able to convert the bilirubin stored in the skin into water-soluble forms that are harmless and are excreted.
In severe cases, a blood transfusion can also be performed. In addition to this physiological form of neonatal jaundice, there are, as in adults, a number of potentially dangerous causes which must be clarified by a physician. This is first of all done by determining the blood count and several laboratory values, especially the indirect and direct bilirubin.
Depending on the cause, treatment can now be carried out. In addition to this physiological form of neonatal jaundice, there are also a number of potentially dangerous causes, as in adults, which must be clarified by a doctor. This is first of all done by determining the blood count and several laboratory values, especially of indirect and direct bilirubin. Depending on the cause, treatment can now be carried out.
