Jaundice in new born babies is otherwise known as neonatal jaundice or Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. It is very common in new born babies and occurs Bilirubin pigment becomes excess in blood. Usually this is during first three to five days after birth and is not dangerous. Yet another type is breast milk jaundice in which a substance in breast milk increase use of bilirubin in child’s intestine. This occurs after a week of birth and might last for a month or more.
There are different types of juandice: Physiological (normal) jaundice, Jaundice of prematurity, Breast milk jaundice, Blood group incompatibility (Rh or ABO problems).
Symptoms
Discolouration is the primary symptom. Skin and whites of eye becomes yellow colour.
Causes
Bilirubin is the pigment produced by breaking of red blood cells and is eliminated through stool. Juandice occurs when body produces excess bilirubin or when it is not properly eliminated by liver. Those children with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Biliary atresia, Certain medications, Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and other congenital problems etc is likely to develop juandice.
Jaundice in new born babies is otherwise known as neonatal jaundice or Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. It is very common in new born babies and occurs Bilirubin pigment becomes excess in blood. Usually this is during first three to five days after birth and is not dangerous. Yet another type is breast milk jaundice in which a substance in breast milk increase use of bilirubin in child’s intestine. This occurs after a week of birth and might last for a month or more.
There are different types of juandice: Physiological (normal) jaundice, Jaundice of prematurity, Breast milk jaundice, Blood group incompatibility (Rh or ABO problems).
Symptoms
Discolouration is the primary symptom. Skin and whites of eye becomes yellow colour.
Causes
Bilirubin is the pigment produced by breaking of red blood cells and is eliminated through stool. Juandice occurs when body produces excess bilirubin or when it is not properly eliminated by liver. Those children with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Biliary atresia, Certain medications, Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and other congenital problems etc is likely to develop juandice.
Treatment
Breast feeding for about 8 to 12 times a day immediately after birth during first few days will help the to pass more stool and to develop more energy for the liver of baby to eliminate bilirubin. Increased level of bilirubin can damage brain cells of baby and can make it less active. There is a chance for developing seizure, and might cause deafness, cerebral palsy, or developmental delay. This can be detected early through blood test and be prevented. Physical examination itself helps to detect the disease.
Most common method is to expose the baby to sunlight and the method is called phototherapy. But eyes need to be protected with eye patches. Some times special blue lights are to be given to baby. Baby must be breast fed more frequently or fed with more fluids to prevent from skin rashes or loose bowel movements. In severe cases fluid will be given through vein. This is done upto a week and is the safest treatment. Frequent bowel movement is necessary and for this the baby is to be fed frequently.
Juandice is dangerous to those children born before 37 week’s gestation, with weight less than 2500 gram at birth, with blood group incompataible with mothers, who have infection, where forceps were used in delivery, for those whose siblings had disease wanting treatment at birth, when jaundice spreads to legs and hands and for those babies who developed jaundice with in 24 hours of birth.
Jaundice might be a symptom of some serious disease like abnormal blood cell shapes, Congenital spherocytic anemia, Elliptocytosis, blood group incompatibilities like ABO in which mother has O group blood and baby does not, Rh negative when mother is Rh negative and baby is positive, birth injuries, polycythema a condition with high level of red blood cells, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, infection, prematurity, transfusions etc. In severe cases blood transfusion is required. Treating with intravenous immunoglobulin helps to reduce bilirubin levels. Drugs may be given to stimulate liver to eliminate bilirubin.
High bilirubin levels can cause brain damage called Kernicterus, Deafness, Cerebral palsy etc.Jaundice is severe if baby has fever.
Breast feeding for about 8 to 12 times a day immediately after birth during first few days will help the to pass more stool and to develop more energy for the liver of baby to eliminate bilirubin. Increased level of bilirubin can damage brain cells of baby and can make it less active. There is a chance for developing seizure, and might cause deafness, cerebral palsy, or developmental delay. This can be detected early through blood test and be prevented. Physical examination itself helps to detect the disease.
Most common method is to expose the baby to sunlight and the method is called phototherapy. But eyes need to be protected with eye patches. Some times special blue lights are to be given to baby. Baby must be breast fed more frequently or fed with more fluids to prevent from skin rashes or loose bowel movements. In severe cases fluid will be given through vein. This is done upto a week and is the safest treatment. Frequent bowel movement is necessary and for this the baby is to be fed frequently.
Juandice is dangerous to those children born before 37 week’s gestation, with weight less than 2500 gram at birth, with blood group incompataible with mothers, who have infection, where forceps were used in delivery, for those whose siblings had disease wanting treatment at birth, when jaundice spreads to legs and hands and for those babies who developed jaundice with in 24 hours of birth.
Jaundice might be a symptom of some serious disease like abnormal blood cell shapes, Congenital spherocytic anemia, Elliptocytosis, blood group incompatibilities like ABO in which mother has O group blood and baby does not, Rh negative when mother is Rh negative and baby is positive, birth injuries, polycythema a condition with high level of red blood cells, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, infection, prematurity, transfusions etc. In severe cases blood transfusion is required. Treating with intravenous immunoglobulin helps to reduce bilirubin levels. Drugs may be given to stimulate liver to eliminate bilirubin.
High bilirubin levels can cause brain damage called Kernicterus, Deafness, Cerebral palsy etc.Jaundice is severe if baby has fever.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Jaundice in newborns
Meningitis - Alternative treatment
Labels: Alternative treatment, bacterial infection, cerebrospinal fluid, Meningitis, Nausea, sleepiness, stiff neck, viralMeningitis is caused by infection to meninges and cerebrospinal fluid. Usually children between the age of 15 and 24 are affected by this disease. Viral, bacterial or fungal infection can also cause meningitis.
Symptoms
High fever, headache, vomiting or nausea along with headache, difficulty to maintain eye contact or to concentrate in some thing, sleepiness, stiff neck, rashes on skin, seizures, leg pain etc. Symptoms may last for two or three days. Newborns might not have these types of symptoms but will cry continuously or eat poorly. Some times there might be a soft spot on head that may bulge.
Causes
Meningitis is usually caused by viral, bacterial or fungal infection. Bacterial infection is more dangerous. Bacterial infection occurs when bacteria enter blood stream and reach brain or spinal cord. Ear or sinus infection can also lead to meningitis as the bacteria will enter meninges directly. This may happen in case of skull fracture also.
Types of meningitis caused by bacteria are Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), that may cause pneumonia, ear or sinus infection, Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), Haemophilus influenzae (haemophilus), Listeria monocytogenes (listeria). Viral meningitis lasts for about 10 days or less only. Chronic meningitis is caused by invading of slow growing organisms. Drug infection, inflammatory diseases and some type of cancer can cause meningitis.
Treatment
Bacterial meningitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics. Treatment might be for convulsions, brain swelling, dehydration or shock. If there is infected sinus or mastoid it will have to be drained. In case of viral meningitis bed rest along with plenty of fluids and pain medications. Anti viral medication will also be given if the virus is herpes.
Bacteria and virus usually spreads through coughing, sneezing, kissing etc. Sharing tooth brush, eating utensils or cigarette can also spread bacteria’s or viruses. Cleaning the hands are also helpful to prevent spreading of disease. Taking exercise, enough ret and a healthy diet is also important. Medications might be for increasing blood pressure. Mechanical ventilation or supplemental oxygen might also be given. Bacterial meningitis might cause learning or hearing disabilities, visual problem, seizures etc. It might affect kidney’s, liver, heart etc or might lead to neurological problems.
Vaccines like Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7), Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV), Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) are given to those infected by bacteria. Viral meningitis is treated with acyclovir (Zovirax®) or ribavirin (Virazole®). These might cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and headache. In case of bacterial meningitis patients are treated with a cocktile medicines like combination of Penicillin and cephalosporin (e.g., ceftriaxone [Rocephin®], cefotaxime [Claforan®]). If virus is caused by fungi Amphotericin B and fluconazole (Diflucan®) are effective. Parasitic meningitis patients are given benzimidazole derivative or other antihelminthic agent. Along with antibiotics cortico steroids, diazepam, rifampin, etc are given according to situation. Surgery is to be done if there are openings causing leak of cerebrospinal fluid.
Prevention
Routine immunization and vaccines for measles, mumps, poliomeningococcus, pneumococcus etc can prevent attack of meningitis. Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B) vaccine given to children at the age of two, four and six can also prevent meningitis.Hib vaccination is also helpful. Preventive medicines like rifampin (Rifadin®), ceftriaxone (Duricef®), and ciprofloxacin (Cipro®) can be given to prevent bacterial meningitis.
Alternative therapy
Nutritional and herbal therapy is found effective in some cases. Homeopathy is also said to be effective for meningitis. Nutritional treatment involves supplementing Vitamin A and Vitamin B12. herbs like garlic is also found effective
