Question
Newborns start showing jaundice from the third day after birth and it persists until the eighteenth day. Their bowel movements are normal, they often wake up during sleep, and frequently burp. They eat well.
Answer
Neonatal jaundice refers to the phenomenon of yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes, and mucous membranes in newborns, also known as neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Its causes are unique and complex; in severe cases, it may lead to bilirubin encephalopathy (kernicterus), which can cause death or severe sequelae. Neonatal jaundice can generally be divided into two types: physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice is a normal physiological phenomenon; about 60% of full-term infants and over 80% of premature infants will show jaundice 3-5 days after birth, but they are generally in good condition. Full-term infants’ jaundice usually subsides within 14 days.