Yellow discoloration of the skin is referred to as jaundice. Red blood cells create a byproduct called bilirubin when they are replaced, which is responsible for the yellow tint to the skin or eyes. Jaundice should never be ignored, as it is often the sign of a serious condition.
Causes in Babies
Jaundice is common in newborns. The liver is responsible for removing bilirubin from the blood when new blood cells form and the old ones leave bilirubin behind. Newborns have a higher turnover of red blood cells, which creates more bilirubin than adults have. Sometimes a baby's liver is simply not developed enough to process all of the bilirubin, especially if the baby was born prematurely. Infant jaundice is also sometimes a sign that a breastfed baby is not receiving enough milk. Jaundice can also be due to an infection, internal bleeding, a liver problem or malfunction, or an incompatibility between the mother's blood type and the baby's blood type.
Causes in Adults
Jaundice is less common in adults than in babies. Adults who suffer from jaundice should seek medical attention as soon as possible, because it is almost always a sign of a liver problem. Adults may have too much bilirubin in their blood if they have alcohol-related liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatic cancer or hemolytic anemia, which causes the body to destroy too many red blood cells.
Treatment
Infants with jaundice are often treated with light therapy. The baby is placed under a special light that alters the structure of bilirubin molecules so the baby can easily flush them out of the body through urine and feces. Babies who suffer from jaundice as a result of an incompatibility of blood types with the mother usually receive an intravenous transfusion of immunoglobulin, which reduces the levels of antibodies that could endanger the baby. In severe cases, infants may receive a blood transfusion to dilute the bilirubin and antibodies.
Adults who suffer from jaundice are treated for the underlying condition. Some types of hepatitis are treated with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation of the liver. Patients with hemolytic anemia are usually given folic acid and an iron replacement. In severe cases, the patient may require a blood transfusion to remove excess bilirubin, or even the removal of the spleen. Many liver problems in adults are resolved only by a liver transplant.
Complications
High levels of bilirubin can cause deafness, brain damage and cerebral palsy in some infants. Due to these risks, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants be examined for jaundice within a few days after birth. The underlying liver problems most often responsible for jaundice can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.
Prevention
Many cases of infant jaundice cannot be prevented. It's important to make sure your baby receives adequate feedings, especially during the first few weeks of life. MayoClinic.com recommends eight to 12 feedings per day for breastfed infants and 1 to 2 oz. of formula every two to three hours for formula-fed babies during the first week of life. Adults should avoid alcohol and intravenous drugs, which could lead to cirrhosis of the liver or hepatitis.
