Premature infant jaundice index
Release time : 03/05/2025 09:30:01
The Apgar score is the barometer of a newborn's health; it accurately gauges a baby's well-being. In premature infants, the occurrence of a yellowing hue is a normal physiological phenomenon, and mothers need not worry excessively.
Generally speaking, the normal value of jaundice in preterm infants is 15 mg/100 ml blood, which means that the bilirubin level in 100ml of blood should be below 15 mg. If it disappears within 4 weeks or reappears, it indicates that the premature infant's jaundice is unhealthy and may be pathological. Mothers should pay attention to this.
Premature infant jaundice index refers to a condition in premature infants where serum bilirubin levels rise, resulting in the skin and mucous membranes of the body becoming yellow.
The bilirubin levels in premature infants are not the same as those in full-term infants. The normal value for jaundice in premature babies is 15 mg/dL (100 ml of blood) or less bilirubin level per 100 milliliters of blood.
The normal range for bilirubin levels in full-term newborns is 12.9 mg/100 ml, which means that the level of bilirubin in 100 milliliters of blood should be below 12.9 mg.
If you notice that your baby's body has a yellowish tint, the level of bilirubin in the blood is about seven to eight. If the skin below the knees also shows signs of jaundice, the level will exceed twelve to fifteen. At this point, mothers should take it seriously.
In full-term infants, jaundice appears within 2 to 4 days and peaks around the 4th to 5th day. It typically resolves within one to two weeks. In premature infants, jaundice persists for a longer period and is more pronounced in terms of the bilirubin index.
The color of jaundice should not be too dark; the depth of jaundice can be determined by consulting a physician or determining through blood tests. The average value of bilirubin is between eleven and twelve milligrams. If the index of jaundice in premature infants is too high, it should be considered as pathological jaundice.
The normal value for jaundice in preterm infants is unknown. Jaundice is a normal physiological phenomenon and occurs in approximately 60% of full-term infants and 80% of preterm infants within the first week after birth.
Neonatal jaundice can be divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Medically, the normal value of physiological jaundice is set as the normal range for neonatal jaundice. So, what is the normal value for premature babies' jaundice index? The normal value for premature babies' jaundice index is 15 mg/dL in 100 ml blood, meaning that the bilirubin level in 100 ml blood is less than 15 mg.
The normal value for jaundice in full-term neonates is 12.9 mg/dl, which means that the bilirubin level in 100 milliliters of blood should be below 12.9 mg.
When the baby's jaundice value exceeds 12.9mg/dl, or the newborn jaundice index rises too fast (an increase of more than 5mh/dl per day), or the jaundice lasts for more than 14 days in full-term infants, or it recurs after fading in premature infants within 4 weeks or the jaundice fades back, it indicates that the jaundice in premature infants is unhealthy and may be pathological jaundice. Mothers should pay attention to this.
What should be done if the bilirubin index of premature infants is high? The bilirubin index of a premature infant refers to the phenomenon whereby skin and mucous membranes turn yellow due to an increase in serum bilirubin in the premature infant, which is actually a type of disease. In common diseases, jaundice is a common occurrence, especially among newborns and premature infants. However, those who truly understand and familiarize themselves with jaundice are still a minority.
If the bilirubin index of a premature infant is elevated, what should be done? 1. Phototherapy: This is a simple and effective method to reduce serum unconjugated bilirubin. The newborn should lie in the phototherapy box with black eye masks on both eyes to protect against retinal damage, and the genitals and anus can be covered with diapers. Other parts are left uncovered. The baby should be exposed to either single or double light for 24-48 hours (generally no more than 4 days), and the bilirubin level should decrease to below 7 mg/dL before stopping treatment.
2. Hemopheresis: Hemopheresis can effectively reduce bilirubin, eliminate allergic red blood cells and alleviate anemia. However, hemopheresis requires certain conditions and may also produce some adverse reactions, so it should be strictly controlled according to indications.
Pharmacological therapy: Supply albumin, correct metabolic acidosis, liver enzyme inducers (such as phenobarbital), and intravenous immunoglobulin.
The cause of elevated jaundice index in preterm infants is due to the metabolic process of bilirubin in the infant's blood, leading to an increase in the level of bilirubin in the skin. Newborn jaundice may occur in 50%-60% of full-term babies and 80% of preterm babies. However, in full-term babies, this condition usually occurs within 2-3 days, peaks at 4-5 days, gradually subsides over 5-7 days, and completely resolves within 2 weeks.
In premature infants, the onset time may be delayed, and the duration of remission can last for 3-4 weeks.
Some premature infants may exhibit elevated bilirubin levels. What are the causes of elevated bilirubin levels in premature infants? 1. Physiological jaundice: The physiological jaundice in full-term infants begins on the second or third day, when the skin turns light yellow and the sclera (white eyeball) is mainly blue with a slight yellowish hue, urine is slightly yellow but not stained by the nappy, and the peak level occurs on the fourth to fifth day. The full-term infants' jaundice subsides between the tenth to fourteenth day, and liver function tests are normal, with unconjugated bilirubin levels increasing.
Physiological jaundice in preterm infants often occurs earlier, with higher index values, and persists for a longer duration, potentially extending to 3-4 weeks before subsiding.
2. Breast Milk-Induced Jaundice: This condition is observed in premature infants who are breastfed. Premature infants exhibit jaundice due to the presence of progesterone hormones in breast milk, which suppresses the activity of glucose glucuronyl transferase in the newborn's liver. This results in a delay in the metabolism and excretion of bilirubin in the blood. Consequently, the concentration of bilirubin increases, causing yellowing of the skin and sclera in premature infants, which is also one of the factors contributing to elevated jaundice index levels in premature infants.
Hemolytic Jaundice: Hemolytic jaundice, the most common cause, is ABO hemolysis. It occurs due to incompatibility between mother and fetus regarding blood type. The most common scenario involves mothers with a blood type of O and fetuses with blood types of A or B, which often lead to more severe jaundice in premature infants and can result in elevated jaundice indexes.
How to Prevent Premature Infant Cyanosis? The cyanosis in premature infants is akin to the weather gauge of their health, especially requiring more care from parents. Although cyanosis in premature infants is considered normal, if the cyanosis index is too high, it should be considered whether it's pathological cyanosis.
If premature infants develop jaundice, parents inevitably worry. So how can we prevent this? 1. Women who have had babies with jaundice in previous pregnancies should take precautions and take traditional Chinese medicine on time.
2. Post-delivery, neonates should be closely monitored for heart rate, heart sounds, degree of anemia, and changes in liver size to early prevent and treat congestive heart failure.
Close observation of the sclera jaundice should be maintained. If jaundice is found, it should be treated promptly and the color changes of the jaundice should be monitored to understand its progression or regression.
3. When neonates requiring hematopoietic therapy are admitted, the air in the ward should be disinfected promptly, and all blood and various medications and supplies should be prepared. The operation procedures should be strictly followed.
Additionally, adults should pay attention to protecting the skin, umbilical cord area, and buttocks of infants to prevent damage from infection.
4. Pay attention to the overall symptoms of premature infants with jaundice, such as lethargy, somnolence, difficulty in sucking milk, restlessness, deviation of the eyes, and convulsions or rigidity of the limbs, in order to timely detect and handle severe cases of infants.
5. Typhoid yellow is often caused by the pregnant mother being exposed to damp-heat, which affects the fetus and leads to premature birth. Therefore, during pregnancy, the pregnant mother should maintain a moderate diet, avoid overeating or underfeeding, and abstain from alcohol and spicy foods to prevent damage to the spleen and stomach.
The medical information provided in this text is for reference only.
If you feel unwell, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. Please rely on in-person medical consultation, diagnosis, and treatment for accurate care.