Neonatal Jaundice: A Curable Condition That Requires Prompt Medical Attention

According to Senior Paediatrician at the Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital, Maame Yaa Nyarko, neonatal jaundice is a curable condition, but it requires parents to take prompt action and seek medical help.

If left untreated or not properly managed, this condition can lead to serious health complications, including cerebral palsy that has a long term effect — it can affect that child’s school enrollments, quality of life and even be a source of breakup for many families.

Speaking at an event organized by the embassy of Hungary, Medico, IPMC, and chaired by the Ga Manste, His Royal Majesty, King King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Maame Nyarko emphasized the importance of early treatment and urged parents to take their children to the hospital for help.

Neonatal jaundice is a common condition that affects many infants in the country.

It occurs when there is a buildup of bilirubin in the blood, causing the skin and eyes to turn yellow.

She mentioned lots of causes of this health condition and the most outstanding one was blood type incompatibility.

Blood type incompatibility, particularly ABO and Rh incompatibility can cause neonatal jaundice as maternal antibodies attack the baby’s red blood cells, leading to increased bilirubin levels and jaundice

When a mother has blood type O and her baby has blood type A or B, the mother’s immune system may react and produce antibodies against the baby’s red blood cells.

These antibodies can cross the placenta and cause the baby’s red blood cells to break down prematurely, leading to a buildup of bilirubin and jaundice

If a mother is Rh-negative (lacks the Rh protein) and her baby is Rh-positive (has the Rh protein), the baby’s Rh-positive blood cells can enter the mother’s bloodstream during pregnancy or delivery.

The mother’s body then produces antibodies against the Rh protein, which can cross the placenta and attack the baby’s red blood cells, causing jaundice and potentially more severe complications

She also mentioned Breastfeeding jaundice and said it occurs when breastfed infants have difficulty feeding or when the mother’s milk is not sufficient

Parents play a crucial role in helping to cure neonatal jaundice. By seeking prompt medical attention and following the doctor’s advice, parents can help to ensure that their child receives the necessary treatment.

It is essential to note that self-treatment is not recommended, as it can lead to serious health complications.

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