WARNING!
If you have a newborn baby, avoid camphor around them and even on their clothes
Camphor or naphthalene is linked to jaundice in new babies
Jaundice is yellow coloration of their skin and eyes because of overproduction of bilirubin
It can cause brain damage!
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Our red cells contain hemoglobin, this is what helps carry the oxygen from your lungs to other places
When red blood cells are broken down, this haemoglobin is broken down to bilirubin
When this gets to the liver, they are combined with a compound that makes them less harmful
Some babies, mostly male babies may lack an enzyme called G6PD, this deficiency is inherited and common in Africans
It helps protect the red cells from damage and when it's lacking, the cells break down easily. Exposing them to camphor can rapidly breakdown their blood cells
Also, babies have a special kind of red blood cells at birth that have a short life span.
They also have low concentrations of that binding substance in the liver.
Now camphor may increase the breakdown of these red blood cells causing an increase in bilirubin
Because this bilirubin is not bound, it enters into the blood stream, this is what colors the eyes and the skin of the baby yellow.
If it gets too high, it may get into the brain of thay baby, this can lead to seizures, drowsiness, poor feeding or sucking, abnormal cries
Most people say that putting babies under the sun can help reduce jaundice, but because of the risk of burning them or increasing their temperature to risky levels, it is no longer recommended.
If you suspect your baby has jaundice, see a pediatrician immediately
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