Question
What are the causes of high jaundice in newborns?
Answer
Newborns have an excess of red blood cells, and when these red blood cells are broken down, they produce an overabundance of bilirubin, which is the direct cause of jaundice. Additionally, blood type incompatibility between mother and child may also lead to the accumulation of bilirubin in the newborn’s body, making it difficult to excrete. Pathological jaundice may be caused by diseases in newborns such as asphyxia, preterm birth, and infection. Breastfeeding may also cause bilirubin to accumulate in the newborn’s body, leading to elevated jaundice levels.