Question
A 30-day-old infant was hospitalized for jaundice and received blue light therapy along with medication after birth. The jaundice subsided, and the baby was discharged and switched to breastfeeding. However, one week later, it was found that the baby’s feet were swollen. How should this situation be explained?
Answer
Neonatal jaundice is a common clinical problem in the neonatal period, mainly caused by abnormal bilirubin metabolism leading to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood, thereby causing yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. This condition can be divided into two main categories: physiological and pathological. Physiological jaundice is usually transient, occurring within 2-3 days after birth, reaching its peak between 4-6 days, and naturally subsiding within 7-10 days. Premature infants may have a longer duration, and typically no other clinical symptoms are present. Generally, neonatal jaundice does not cause swelling in the lower limbs. If swelling occurs…