Mentholated ointment, Camphor triggers jaundice in babies – Paediatrician

A paediatrician with the University College Teaching Hospital Ibadan, Dr. Ifeoma Ude said, mentholated ointment and camphor could trigger jaundice in newborn babies.

According to her, jaundice happens when there is too much bilirubin, a chemical that red blood cells release during their normal breakdown process builds up in the blood.

Jaundice ordinarily appears 2 to 3 days after an infant is born,

“In addition to the normal causes, storing a baby’s clothes in camphor causes the breakdown of red blood cells.

“Some mothers feel their child may be having catarrh and apply mentholated ointment.

“Such things trigger jaundice in newborn babies,” the paediatrician said.

Some of the commonest causes of jaundice in children are mothers with type O or Rh-negative blood, and babies born premature.

She cautioned parents against using herbal mixtures or paw-paw water for the treatment of jaundice in newborns, urging them to promptly seek medical intervention whenever they notice the condition in their babies.

“The level of jaundice in a baby rises every hour if you don’t intervene. What it was by 9 o’clock will be different from what it will be by 12 o’clock.

“That is why I am stressing that prompt intervention is necessary,” she said.

Untreated jaundice has serious consequences, noting that if left untreated, jaundice could lead to brain damage, inability to walk and convulsion in little children.

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Martha M/ Punch