|  | Conditions Treatments | Blood Disorders

Medication for Jaundice

Jaundice, affecting as many as 60 percent of all babies, is according to whattoexpect.com the most common condition requiring medical attention in the first few weeks of life. Jaundice often disappears on its own one to two weeks after its onset without the need for special treatment. When jaundice becomes more severe, however, a wide variety of medications and treatments exist to cure this condition.

  1. About Jaundice

    • Usually appearing between the second and fourth day of life, jaundice is a sign of overproduction of bilirubin, a substance usually related to liver disease. As explained on the WrongDiagnosis.com website, the overproduction of bilirubin is responsible for the yellow coloration of babies suffering from jaundice, which can first be seen in the face and then in the trunk and extremities. Yellow eyes, dark urine and pale feces are other signs that a baby may have jaundice. In some cases, itchy skin, lethargy and a slow pulse also have been observed.

    Medication

    • As listed on WrongDiagnosis.com, a wide variety of medications may be administered to babies suffering from jaundice, but only if adequate bed rest and fluid intake have not fixed the problem before. First, anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, Prednisone and Deltasone may be used to counter jaundice. Drugs that reduce pain and fever such as Tylenol, Tempra and Feverall also may be administered. Drugs that reduce nausea and vomiting such as Reglan and metoclopramide have also proven effective. Also, immunosuppressive drugs like azathioprine and Imuran are used to treat jaundice.

    Phototherapy

    • Since the 1950s, emedicine.medscape.com indicates that the most widespread treatment for jaundice after prophylactic measures is the use of phototherapy to counter the overproduction of bilirubin and avoid neurotoxicity. Phototherapy, therapy with light, can be administered in many ways. Because bilirubin absorbs light, special wavelengths must be used that penetrate the baby's skin. Generally, babies suffering from jaundice are exposed to white, blue, turquoise or green light in order to "bleach" the excessive bilirubin and provide relief.

    Intravenous Hydration

    • According to the eMedicine website, jaundice sometimes causes babies to not be able to keep down their mothers' milk. In this case, milk substitute is proposed since it reduces circulation of bilirubin and helps flush out excess bilirubin. In more severe cases of jaundice where not even milk substitute has proven effective and if the baby shows signs of being dehydrated, intravenous hydration may be advisable.

    Exchange Transfusion

    • Exchange transfusion, as indicated on the eMedicin website, is the transfusion of healthy blood in babies with more severe cases of jaundice. Administration of new blood into a baby suffering from jaundice is an effective way to limit the increase of bilirubin levels up to a certain point. Historically, exchange transfusion was a common procedure for babies with jaundice and anemia. Nowadays, medication, phototherapy and intravenous hydration are preferred over exchange transfusion since it is not a risk-free procedure and is only used in case all other treatments fail.

Blood Disorders - Related Articles