Jaundice In Newborn Babies

Julie was down with jaundice on the 5th day after birth. We only noticed that she had developed yellowish skin on that morning we wanted to bring her to her paediatrician, Dr. Pria in Tropicana Medical Centre. After checking her nose blocked and the thrush that Julie had, doctor took her blood test. For newborn babies, blood test is taken from the sole of their tiny foot. We waited for approx 45 minutes for the blood test result. And when the result was out, it was found out that Julie's bilirubin index was 298. For normal babies, the index should read between 100-200. Doctor told us that her reading is very high and need to be under phototherapy with two lights. She was admitted to hospital right away.

...blood contains an excess of bilirubin. Bilirubin is a byproduct of the normal breakdown of old red blood cells...

Jaundice has become a very common state in the newborn babies these days. Usually you will only notice the yellowish tinge in your newborn baby a few days after birth. Both my nieces had jaundice too. So now, what causes jaundice? Jaundice develops in a healthy newborn babies when the blood contains an excess of bilirubin. Bilirubin is a byproduct of the normal breakdown of old red blood cells. Normally, bilirubin passes through the liver and is excreted through the intestines as bile or as we known ~ poo poo. Because of newborn babies immature livers, they are slow to process these bilirubin, hence the excess of blirubin in their blood.

Me feeding our little princess in the nursery ward.
After the first night under the phototherapy with two lights, Julie's bilirubin index dropped a tremendously 100 reading. Even tho' with the reading at 193, doctor said Julie still need to be under the treatment, but this time with only one light. On the third morning, Julie's bilirubin index dropped to a safe 143 reading and was discharged on that day. The hospital bill was around RM820, meaning around RM400 per night (incls doc consultation, blood test, nursery charges).

During these two days, my hubby and I were back and forth to the hospital to see Julie. Tho' it's only 2 days, it seems like forever. When we had to leave her alone in the hospital on the first day, our heart were so heavy. But we have no choice. The longer she is under the treatment, the faster she will be healed. Thank goodness it was only 2 days!