Jaundice can be alarming in any baby, especially during the newborn stage. Although most babies develop mild jaundice at some point, the majority of them get over it within a few days after birth, with no long-term complications or special treatment needed. If you think that your baby may have jaundice at any age, it's best to consult his primary care provider for an evaluation. But before you rush your baby to the doctor, consider these basic factors.
Does your baby have olive skin?
I was amused when my daughter's doctor briefly mistook her olive skin tone for jaundice when she came in for her one-month checkup. The doctor had to poke her skin a few times before he looked at me and drew a conclusion that should have been obvious. If a doctor can mistake olive skin for jaundice, I'm certain that a parent can do the same. If you're concerned that your baby may have jaundice, consider her heritage. If olive skin runs in your family, odds are high that those golden undertones are your baby's natural skin, not jaundice.
I was amused when my daughter's doctor briefly mistook her olive skin tone for jaundice when she came in for her one-month checkup. The doctor had to poke her skin a few times before he looked at me and drew a conclusion that should have been obvious. If a doctor can mistake olive skin for jaundice, I'm certain that a parent can do the same. If you're concerned that your baby may have jaundice, consider her heritage. If olive skin runs in your family, odds are high that those golden undertones are your baby's natural skin, not jaundice.
Does your baby eat a lot of carrots?
If your baby is several months old and eating solid foods, her diet may be to blame for what appears to be jaundice. Jaundice is rare in older babies, unless there is a serious, undiagnosed medical problem. Foods containing large amounts of beta carotene, such as carrot and yellow squash, can actually cause a baby's skin to turn orangish-yellow. This condition, known as carotenosis, is completely benign and won't harm your baby.
If your baby is several months old and eating solid foods, her diet may be to blame for what appears to be jaundice. Jaundice is rare in older babies, unless there is a serious, undiagnosed medical problem. Foods containing large amounts of beta carotene, such as carrot and yellow squash, can actually cause a baby's skin to turn orangish-yellow. This condition, known as carotenosis, is completely benign and won't harm your baby.
Check to see if your baby's skin can change color.
Mayo Clinic recommends checking for infant jaundice by pressing your finger lightly against the baby's forehead. If it looks yellow where you've pressed, it's likely jaundice to blame. If your baby does not have jaundice, his skin will be just a bit lighter than his base skin tone on the spot that you've touched. This trick is a little more difficult for olive-skinned babies, so check with your pediatrician if you're not sure.
Mayo Clinic recommends checking for infant jaundice by pressing your finger lightly against the baby's forehead. If it looks yellow where you've pressed, it's likely jaundice to blame. If your baby does not have jaundice, his skin will be just a bit lighter than his base skin tone on the spot that you've touched. This trick is a little more difficult for olive-skinned babies, so check with your pediatrician if you're not sure.
Look at the whites of your baby's eyes.
If your baby has jaundice, the whites of her eyes will be yellow instead of white. Yellowed eyes are a distinct, tell-tale sign of jaundice, and require evaluation from a pediatrician. There are no other likely reasons that a baby would have yellowed whites in his eyes. Take him to the pediatrician as soon as possible if you see this symptom, since it is considered ominous. But do remember that most babies will overcome jaundice quickly, with no specific treatment.
Check the lighting.
Sometimes, what looks like jaundice is really just the result of bad lighting. Check your baby's tone in several different light sources, preferably including natural outdoor light, to see how her skin looks. If you still suspect jaundice, go ahead and give the doctor a call. Your baby's pediatrician will let you know what, if anything, must be done to treat the condition.
No comments:
Post a Comment