Case Study: Neonatal Jaundice

SID:1817854
CASE STUDY (NEONATAL JAUNDICE)
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SID:1817854
Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
Anatomy of the Neonatal Jaundice..............................................................................................................4
Family-Centered Care/Child-Centered Care................................................................................................6
Legislation, Policies, and Procedures.........................................................................................................10
Nursing Models and Development Theories..............................................................................................13
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................15
Reference List............................................................................................................................................17
Appendices................................................................................................................................................25
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SID:1817854
Case Study (Neonatal Jaundice)
Introduction
The case study explores neonatal jaundice in a three-week old child in line with
appropriate development care which is linked to family-centered care. The case study will focus
on policies and guidelines that regulate and govern the overall care delivery to children and
young people. Susan is the primary caregiver to her three-week old baby who has jaundice. She
must take the illness seriously to avoid further complications that may emanate from under
treatment. The baby may require to be put under special lights which help to identify to lower the
bilirubin levels. It is not allowed to put the baby under direct sunlight since it is not a safe
treatment for jaundice and can cause sunburn to the baby. A baby with high levels of bilirubin
might require blood transfusion hence Susan is needed to liaise with a clinician to monitor the
baby’s progress. Since she is breastfeeding the child, the baby should be a nursed eight to 12
times a day for the first few days. It helps in making enough milk for the baby and will keep the
bilirubin levels low (Alizadeh and et. al., 2019). In this case, Susan is experiencing problems
with breastfeeding and it is essential to inform the nurse or lactation coach so they can help. A
parent needs to find support at family level in addressing the condition which can be
overwhelming. Often a new parent to a child with such needs may get anxious over the condition
of the child hence it is important to get the necessary emotional and psychological support they
need. For the mother to achieve optimal breastfeeding, they require to be in the right state of
mind without stressing factors that can impact the amount of milk expressed. Therefore, it will
require proper meals and exercise where possible to create a balanced emotional and
psychological status of the mother.
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SID:1817854
Anatomy of the Neonatal Jaundice
Although neonatal jaundice is common, acute cases of bilirubin in the blood are rare.
Universal screening of neonatal jaundice is controversial whereby it targets assessing the
bilirubin level which help to determine the level of protein inside the body and the risk factors
involved. Neonatal jaundice affects up to 84% of the newborn and is a common cause of hospital
readmission in the neonatal period (Alkén and et. al., 2019). Severe jaundice levels of more than
20mg per dL occur in less than 2% of term infants and can lead to permanent
neurodevelopmental delay. A newborn must be evaluated for hyperbilirubinemia. Acute bilirubin
condition develops in one in 10,000 infants and presents hypertonia, arching, retrocollis,
opisthotonos, and high-pitched cry these are related with the neonatal jaundice. Children at birth
are subject to jaundice which is a common condition where the newborn baby's skin and eyes get
a yellow discoloration. The yellow coloration of unconjugated bilirubin reflects normal
transitional phenomena. In some infants, it is a case of serum bilirubin levels, this increase the
neurotoxic bilirubin cause number of complication which is unpredictable. The presence of
neonatal jaundice in infants results in diagnostic matter and used to provide them proper care. It
occurs because the baby's liver is not mature enough to get rid of bilirubin in the bloodstream. In
some babies, it is an underlying disease that causes infant jaundice. The parent and care provider
should identify the occurrence of jaundice in time for treatment activities. Whenever, measuring
and recording vital signs. Phototherapy is used in the treatment of jaundice in infants especially
if the level of bilirubin is high. Treatment is commenced as soon diagnosed. The use of
phototherapy in jaundice treatment is used in lowering the level of bilirubin in the blood through
photo-oxidation. The process adds oxygen to the bilirubin which dissolves easily in water. In this
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