Neonatal hemolytic jaundice is usually detected within 24 to 72 hours after birth. Treatment includes phototherapy, medication, and exchange transfusion, which is caused by red blood cell destruction and bilirubin accumulation due to blood type incompatibility between mother and baby. Phototherapy is the most commonly used treatment, using specific wavelengths of blue light to help break down bilirubin; medication commonly uses immunoglobulins to reduce red blood cell destruction; exchange transfusion is used in severe cases to rapidly lower bilirubin levels.
Hemolytic jaundice is closely related to maternal-fetal blood type incompatibility. When the mother is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive, the mother's body may produce antibodies that attack the fetus's red blood cells, leading to hemolysis. ABO blood type incompatibility is also a common cause, especially when the mother has type O blood and the fetus has type A or B blood. Genetic factors may also increase the risk of neonatal hemolytic jaundice; certain genetic diseases, such as G6PD deficiency, make red blood cells more susceptible to destruction. Physiological factors such as prematurity and low birth weight can also affect bilirubin metabolism, increasing the incidence of jaundice. Pathological factors such as infection and metabolic abnormalities may also exacerbate red blood cell destruction.
Phototherapy is the first-line treatment for neonatal hemolytic jaundice. Blue light irradiates the skin, converting bilirubin into a water-soluble substance that is easily excreted. In drug therapy, immunoglobulins reduce the degree of hemolysis by blocking the destruction of fetal red blood cells by maternal antibodies. Exchange transfusion is used for severe cases, replacing part of the blood to lower bilirubin levels and reduce damage to the central nervous system. For mild cases, increasing feeding frequency can promote bilirubin excretion, and probiotics can be used to regulate gut microbiota and aid bilirubin metabolism if necessary.
Timely detection and treatment of neonatal hemolytic jaundice are crucial. Parents should closely observe changes in the color of their newborn's skin and sclera, seek medical attention promptly for bilirubin testing, and take appropriate treatment measures to prevent serious complications.