Jaundice Can Lead to Baby Brain Damage

According to doctors, jaundice is a condition most babies develop when they're born, and if not detected early enough can cause permanent brain damage in newborns and, therefore, it is important for all new parents to know the symptoms.

First-time mother Proschee Ford said she knows how much milk her daughter gets is very important to her health, but many new moms don't realize how much is also directly related to jaundice, which can make babies very sick if not caught early. According to newborn mom, Ford, the first night, her baby wanted to eat every 45 minutes, and gives her at least two-hour intervals between feedings.

According to doctors, it's a type of bile pigment that we all produce in our body and starts accumulating in the baby's blood and starts depositing in skin, which causes the yellow color. That yellow color is the first red flag that a baby is having trouble getting rid of bile. Doctors report that some of the signs are when a baby develops yellow or orange skin, when the baby is not feeding properly, or when a baby starts to appear lethargic or is not as active as it should be. Other symptoms of jaundice include unexplained fever, high-pitched crying, and being uninterested in feeding and losing excessive weight. When the bile starts to build up to a high level in the blood, it can also enter into the baby's brain. And, unfortunately, the developing brain is very susceptible to brain damage when it starts to build up to a high level.

If jaundice continues, it can lead to a condition called kernicterus and can cause permanent brain damage. Most new moms are sent home after two or three days in the hospital, but jaundice typically peaks when a newborn is between 3 and 5 days old. New parents can miss the signs, which is why it is important for them to stay in close contact with their pediatrician.

A baby's body gets rid of bile by getting rid of its waste, so doctors say that a newborn should breast feed at least 10 to 12 times a day for a few days. Most important is to keep all pediatrician visits because there is a test that can easily detect a newborn's level of bilirubin, a brownish yellow substance found in bile.

If you suspect that you, or someone you care about, was the victim of a childbirth complication or medical malpractice that could have been prevented before, during or after the delivery process, which resulted in brain damage or other birth injuries, you should get in touch with Kentucky's most well-respected and knowledgeable birth injury attorneys at Gray and White Law immediately for your free legal consultation.  Our law firm will take the time to learn about the case, will address questions or concerns you may have, and keep all information confidential.  All you have to do is take a moment to contact us by confidential e-mail or by phone (toll-free) at 1-800-634-8767 any time.