Question
A newborn developed jaundice on the third day after birth and, after 42 hours of blue light therapy, the bilirubin level dropped from 273 to 198, but the eyes still appeared slightly yellow. The baby is currently taking Yinzhi Huang medicine. Can newborn jaundice affect the color of the eyes?
Answer
Newborn jaundice typically appears within 2 to 3 days after birth, with the peak period occurring between 5 to 6 days. For full-term infants, bilirubin levels usually return to normal within 2 to 4 weeks. Jaundice in the skin and mucous membranes may cause the conjunctiva to turn yellow, and when bilirubin levels exceed 12, the likelihood of the conjunctiva turning yellow is very high. After phototherapy or treatment, bilirubin levels significantly decrease, and the yellowing of the conjunctiva will gradually return to normal.