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Jaundice Management in Bhubaneswar

Somewhere around day two or three, many parents look at their newborn and think, “Is my baby turning yellow?” Then the advice starts. One relative says it’s nothing. Another says to keep the baby in the sun. It’s hard to know who to trust.

The fact is that jaundice is very frequently seen among babies, and the majority of babies recover from it safely and easily. However, colour alone doesn’t mean much, so in order to establish if it is mild or requires treatment, a bilirubin test must be performed.

At Rahat Hospital, jaundice is handled as part of neonatal care. If your baby needs more than a quick look, the right team is already there.

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What it means:

Jaundice is the yellow colour that occurs when babies have an excess of bilirubin in their blood due to the fact that the baby’s liver is still developing and not yet able to remove the bilirubin.

Treatment:

Regular feeds and recheck are the only treatments required for most mild cases. A special light treatment (phototherapy) is used for some babies.

How it's decided:

The doctor doesn’t consider the color of the baby’s skin, but instead uses the bilirubin level and the baby’s age.

See a doctor quickly if:

If yellowing begins within 24 hours, progresses to the legs, or if the baby feeds poorly or is hard to wake.

Types of Jaundice Treated

Newborn jaundice isn’t always the same. The cause decides how closely a baby is watched and whether treatment is needed, and only a doctor can tell after an examination and a bilirubin check.

Physiological jaundice
The most common type. Newborn liver is immature and jaundice develops on day 2 or 3 and subsides spontaneously.
Jaundice related to breastfeeding
Occurs when a baby hasn't taken enough milk in the first few days. It is typically resolved with a change in feeding position and breastfeeding support is effective.
Jaundice in premature babies
Preemies' livers are less developed, so they are more apt to have jaundice and are monitored more closely. Families of premature babies are supported from the outset.
Blood group mismatch jaundice
If the blood groups do not match between the mother and the baby, the red cells may breakdown more quickly. Often it occurs within 24 hours, and requires quick testing.
Other causes of jaundice
Sometimes caused by another infection or other disease. This is a sign that the doctor is searching for when jaundice begins early or increases rapidly or does not follow the typical pattern.
Prolonged jaundice
If it lasts beyond about two weeks, the baby should be examined. Fever is a reason to see soon as is pale stools or dark urine.

How Is Jaundice Diagnosed and Managed at Rahat Hospital?

The first step in the interaction is talking. The doctor would have to enquire when the yellow colouring first appeared, how it progressed, how the baby feeds and how the delivery was made. In addition, mother’s blood type and previous history of jaundice in the baby are both significant factors.

Many parents may not expect the doctor to work through his eyes at this time. Instead, bilirubin tests provide the doctor with a figure, either from a bilirubin skin test or a bloodwork (depending on the case). This amount should be related to the age of the baby.

In most cases, the procedure is straightforward for babies: frequent feeding, monitoring the hue, and checking again. In case of rising or high levels, the pediatrician may prescribe taking special tests to find the reason behind it, such as infection or incompatibility of blood groups.

Preemies and low birth weight babies are monitored more closely because their livers take longer to develop. From the outset, families of low birth weight or premature babies are informed about what to anticipate.

What Is Rahat Hospital's Approach to Jaundice Management?

Every child is seen the same way at Rahat Hospital. The doctor listens first, then examines, works out what’s going on, treats, explains and follows up. For a newborn, that starts with the full story of the birth and the first few days, followed by a gentle examination. Tests are ordered only when something in the findings calls for them.

The hospital’s website lists jaundice care under its Level III NICU, with phototherapy and round-the-clock nursing. Your baby will be seen by the paediatric team, which includes Dr. Kanhu Panda and Dr. Amareshwar Satpathy, both consultant paediatricians and neonatologists.

The baby determines the course of treatment. If the jaundice is mild, you will probably receive feeding instructions and a date to return before you leave the hospital. However, if the jaundice is severe, the baby may need phototherapy while being closely monitored by the medical personnel while feeding according to instructions given by the physician.

There will be no guessing around the house either. Before you go home, you will know what is normal, what to pay attention to and when you should return. It also includes breastfeeding support because a baby who feeds properly removes bilirubin efficiently.

There are some good intentions at home which may cause more damage than good. Water as well as sugar-water does not help in the process of removing jaundice. Sunlight cannot be a remedy for bilirubin analysis. If your baby has a problem with feeding or does not feel good at all, waiting will not help either.

How Much Does Jaundice Management Cost in Bhubaneswar?

There’s no one price, because two jaundiced babies can need very different care. One baby may need a single bilirubin check and a follow-up visit. Another may need days of phototherapy and monitoring in the hospital.

What shapes the final cost:

Whether the baby stays in the hospital, and for how many days

How many bilirubin tests are needed

Whether phototherapy is required, and for how long

Follow-up visits after discharge

Extra tests to find the cause, if the level is high or jaundice began early

Rahat Hospital hasn’t published fixed prices for this, so quoting a range here would be guesswork. The honest way to get an estimate is to contact the hospital once the doctor has seen your baby, since the plan decides the cost.

At the first visit, it’s fine to ask what tests are likely, how long a stay might be, and what follow-up will look like. That way there are no surprises later.

Not sure what your baby will need? Speak with us and get a clearer picture first.

Why Choose Rahat Hospital for Jaundice Management in Bhubaneswar?

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Newborn care under one roof

Jaundice is handled alongside the Level III NICU and paediatric services, so a baby who needs more than a routine check doesn’t have to be moved somewhere else.

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Neonatologists on the team

Kanhu Panda and Dr. Amareshwar Satpathy are consultant paediatricians and neonatologists who treat newborn illnesses, jaundice included.

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Plain explanations

You leave knowing what’s normal, what to watch for and when to return, not just holding a prescription.

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The same team at follow-up

If jaundice comes back or doesn’t settle, you return to people who already know your baby. The same continuity carries into vaccinations and routine check-ups later.

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Women and child care together

Rahat Hospital in Saheed Nagar is a specialist women and child healthcare centre, so maternity and newborn care sit in the same place.

Want your baby seen by the team? Book now at Rahat Hospital, Bhubaneswar.

FAQ

When does babies get jaundice?

It’s most commonly on day two or 3 and is highest during the first week. After 24 hours (if the yellow colour has formed) it is not too late! Take baby to within same day.

What are the dangers of having neonatal jaundice?

Usually not. In the majority of cases, the management and resolution is simple. Very high levels of bilirubin can affect the brain and it is important to measure bilirubin at an appropriate time.

How can I tell if my baby is getting sicker and sicker?

Watch for: yellow color on belly or legs, or soles, baby doesn’t feed or is difficult to wake up, dark urine or pale stools. All of these mean the baby needs to see the doctor soon.

Is it necessary for all babies with jaundice to get phototherapy?

No. A feeding/treatment and re-check is performed for many babies. If the bilirubin level is above the age and risk factor dependent threshold then, it is recommended to use phototherapy.

Use of sunlight is safe for treatment of jaundice?

Not a substitute for medical examination. It’s not a good idea to measure the level by looking at it, and it’s not a good idea to wait while watching what level the audience is at. The most important test to make the decision is a bilirubin.