Malaria: This mosquito-borne blood infection can cause jaundice.This can lead to anemia, in which someone does not have enough red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia: Hemolytic anemia is a blood disorder that occurs when the body breaks down red blood cells too quickly.When bile is not released, the liver cannot dispose of bilirubin. Inflammation or obstruction of the bile duct: Swollen or blocked bile ducts prevent the release of bile into the liver.Acute inflammation or infection of the liver: An injured or infected liver may not be able to process bilirubin properly.This type of jaundice is called obstruction jaundice.Ī number of medical conditions that require medical treatment can cause any of these types of jaundice. A blockage in the bile duct system: When a blockage occurs in the tubes that carry the bile from the liver to the gallbladder and intestines, bilirubin cannot leave the liver and builds up.Breakdown of red blood cells: When the body breaks down red blood cells too quickly, an increase in bilirubin production can cause jaundice.Liver disease or liver injury: Liver problems cause a type of jaundice known as hepatocellular jaundice.There are three main reasons for jaundice to occur: Yellow eyes and jaundice in older children and adults normally indicate an underlying medical issue. Unlike yellow skin, which might occur as a result of eating too many yellow and orange vegetables, yellow eyes are nearly always a sign of jaundice. In older children and adults, yellow eyes often indicate a more serious problem because jaundice is not common in these age groups. Share on Pinterest Liver problems can lead to yellowing in the eyes. A pediatrician will examine an infant for jaundice at their first checkup. Cases of mild jaundice might resolve without treatment while more moderate jaundice can be treated with phototherapy.ĭoctors can treat extremely severe cases using a blood transfusion. While most infants have mild-to-moderate jaundice, more severe cases occur. ![]() Premature infants face a particularly high risk of hemorrhages. Hemorrhage: Internal bleeding can cause jaundice.Infections: Some bacterial infections, such as sepsis, can cause newborn jaundice.Premature babies may have more severe jaundice or jaundice alongside a number of other conditions. Jaundice of prematurity: Premature babies are at the greatest risk of jaundice because their livers are highly underdeveloped.As the mother’s antibodies are already breaking down the infant’s red blood cells before birth, this type of jaundice may occur as early as 1 day old. Blood incompatibility jaundice: When a mother and a fetus do not have compatible blood types, the mother’s body may attack the red blood cells of the fetus while it is in the womb.Some causes of newborn jaundice require further treatment. This form of jaundice normally resolves itself by 12 weeks of age. Breast milk: Occasionally, substances in breast milk cause the intestines of a newborn to retain bilirubin rather than excrete it in stools.This type of jaundice often resolves when a mother’s milk comes in. Breast-feeding: Breast-feeding can cause jaundice when an infant does not receive enough breast milk to flush the bilirubin out.It normally appears when an infant is between 2 and 4 days old. Physiological jaundice: Many newborns have this type of jaundice, due to the liver’s early stage of development.The causes of normal neonatal jaundice include: ![]() ![]() Most cases of newborn jaundice are harmless and resolve without treatment as the liver matures. New parents should also watch for the following symptoms:Ī medical professional should check any newborn with these symptoms immediately. Yellow eyes are only one symptom of newborn jaundice. Jaundice is very common in newborn infants because the liver is still maturing.īilirubin often builds up faster than the immature liver of an infant can break it down, causing jaundice to occur frequently.Īside from a yellowing of the skin, one of the clearest signs of jaundice in an infant is the yellowing of the eyes. Share on Pinterest Yellow eyes are normally a symptom of jaundice, especially in newborns.
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