Don't be too concerned if the whites of your baby's eyes and their skin turns a slight yellow, or even orangey, colour after 3 days. This is a condition called jaundice and is caused because your baby's liver cannot work fast enough to dispose of a pigment called bilirubin. Premature babies are more likely to suffer from jaundice.
Jaundice usually clears up after a few days and this can be aided by exposure to sunlight (through a window). You may also be encouraged to feed your baby as often as possible. Sometimes when the bilirubin levels are very high a baby may need to be exposed to controlled amounts of ultra violet light in the form of phototherapy. Ultra violet breaks down the pigment levels in the skin. This will be carried out in hospital. Your baby will be placed in a special cot, sometimes but not always, in Special Care. This is a routine treatment and is very effective.
|
