NEONATAL JAUNDICE Meaning and
Definition
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Neonatal Jaundice refers to a common condition that occurs in newborns, characterized by a yellowish discoloration of the skin, eyes, and other body tissues. It is caused by an excessive accumulation of bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells. Neonatal jaundice is a transient and usually benign condition that affects approximately 50-60% of full-term infants and 80% of premature infants.
Bilirubin is normally processed and eliminated by the liver. However, in newborns, the liver may not be fully matured, leading to a reduced ability to effectively process and excrete bilirubin. This results in its accumulation in the baby's body, manifesting as jaundice. A common sign of neonatal jaundice is the yellowing of the baby's skin, particularly noticeable on the face, chest, and abdomen.
In most cases, neonatal jaundice is resolved without any treatment within 1-2 weeks. However, in some infants, the bilirubin levels may become excessively high, posing a risk of neurological damage. This condition, known as severe neonatal jaundice or hyperbilirubinemia, requires medical attention and treatment to prevent complications.
Management of neonatal jaundice often involves phototherapy, which involves exposing the baby's skin to a specific type of light that helps break down the bilirubin. In severe cases, when phototherapy is insufficient, exchange transfusion may be performed to remove the baby's blood and replace it with donor blood.
It is important to closely monitor neonatal jaundice as early detection and the appropriate management can help prevent complications and ensure the baby's well-being.
Common Misspellings for NEONATAL JAUNDICE
- beonatal jaundice
- meonatal jaundice
- jeonatal jaundice
- heonatal jaundice
- nwonatal jaundice
- nsonatal jaundice
- ndonatal jaundice
- nronatal jaundice
- n4onatal jaundice
- n3onatal jaundice
- neinatal jaundice
- neknatal jaundice
- nelnatal jaundice
- nepnatal jaundice
- ne0natal jaundice
- ne9natal jaundice
- neobatal jaundice
- neomatal jaundice
- neojatal jaundice
- neohatal jaundice
Etymology of NEONATAL JAUNDICE
The word "neonatal jaundice" can be broken down into two components: "neonatal" and "jaundice".
1. Neonatal: The word "neonatal" is derived from the Latin term "neonatus", which means "newly born" or "newborn". It is a combination of "neo" (meaning "new") and "natus" (meaning "born").
2. Jaundice: The term "jaundice" originated from the French word "jaunisse", which came from the Old French word "jaune" meaning "yellow". "Jaundice" refers to a medical condition characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes. It is caused by an excess build-up of bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced from the breakdown of red blood cells.
