What is it? Is it common?

Jaundice is a condition that makes a newborn’s skin and the white part of the eyes look yellow. It happens because there is too much bilirubin in the baby’s blood. Bilirubin is a substance that is made when the body breaks down old red blood cells. Jaundice usually is not a problem. But in rare cases, too much bilirubin in the blood can cause brain damage. This can lead to hearing loss, mental retardation, and behavior problems.

Most of the time no treatment is needed for jaundice, because it usually goes away on its own. If you are breast-feeding, you may be able to help reduce the jaundice by feeding your baby 8 to 10 times a day.

Sometimes babies with jaundice are put under a type of fluorescent light. This is called phototherapy. The skin absorbs the light. This changes the bilirubin so that the body can more easily get rid of it in the stool and urine. The treatment is usually done in a hospital. But babies sometimes are treated at home.

twinklestar - 27 August 2008 06:38 AM

Jaundice is a condition that makes a newborn’s skin and the white part of the eyes look yellow. It happens because there is too much bilirubin in the baby’s blood.

Hi twinklestar,

Please check the accuracy of your information - I haven't read very far, but by the first two sentences, I know that the information should be rectified.

- lisa_zee -

It's not something that only occurs in newborns. You may want to look into your info a little further, twinkle.

Aside from photo therapy, is there any other treatment for this disease?

The best treatment for jaundice is indeed phototherapy.

The main cause of jaundice is the increase of bilirubin level that makes the skin yellowish. There 2 types of bilirubin these are conjugated and uncojugated.

How does jaundice develops?

They are developing during pregnancy. You could ask your doctor regarding more info about jaundice.

Is there a medicine that pregnant women can drink to prevent jaundice?

There is one herbal medicine or supplement for jaundice and this is sugar cane juice. A patient must drink plenty of this juice to promote urination to help flush out the toxins.

That’s very interesting sugar cane juice for jaundice. I thought it’s like herbal meds or supplements made from herbs that can be use for treating this disease.

I know jaundice is a disease that mostly affects children. I don’t know if children would appreciate in drinking sugar cane juice.

They can and you can mix it with other fruit juices since it has a sweet taste and children won’t even notice the taste.

mangobango - 27 May 2009 03:58 PM

That’s very interesting sugar cane juice for jaundice. I thought it’s like herbal meds or supplements made from herbs that can be use for treating this disease.

How did you come up with this?