Jaundice
Posted by Babies - 18/01/09 at 02:01 amJust a few days after birth, a number of babies suffer from jaundice. This is popularly known as physical jaundice. The disease is not very serious. It usually takes a week or so to be cured. In case of complications, more time may be required for the recovery. Blood of human beings consist of a chemical known as bilirubin. In the new born babies, the content of bilirubin in blood is very high. After birth, the liver breaks down the bilirubin. But, in some cases, it takes about a week’s time for the liver to break this bilirubin down. In this situation physical jaundice occurs in the new born. There is not too much to worry about the disease. The infant does not suffer from any kind of pain or discomfort due to this illness. If a baby is affected by this disease then the skin of the baby develops yellowish tinges. At some cases, the baby looks as if it has been suntanned. In the black babies, the white portion of their eyes becomes yellow. On development of such symptoms in the new born, it should be taken to a doctor. The doctor then suggests a blood test which states the bilirubin level in the blood. The baby is generally exposed to bright fluorescent lights for a particular number of days. After a few days the yellowish tinge dies away. At home also the baby can be treated by exposing it to the sunlight in bare body. But the baby should not be exposed to direct sunlight as it may cause sunburn.
