Question
My baby’s face has turned yellow over the past two days, and the doctor said it’s jaundice and needs to measure the bilirubin level. How is neonatal jaundice classified as physiological and pathological?
Answer
Neonatal jaundice is defined as the elevated level of bilirubin in the blood due to abnormal bilirubin metabolism, resulting in yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. This condition can be divided into two main categories: physiological and pathological. Physiological jaundice refers to a temporary jaundice caused by the characteristics of bilirubin metabolism, usually starting 2-3 days after birth, reaching its peak at 4-6 days, and subsiding after 7-10 days. In premature infants, the duration may be longer, with only mild decreased appetite as a significant clinical symptom. If jaundice occurs within 24 hours after birth and the daily increase in serum bilirubin exceeds 5 mg/dL or 0.5 mg/dL per hour, it requires attention. For full-term infants, if there is no improvement after 2 weeks and for premature infants after 4 weeks, further treatment should be sought to ensure that the condition does not worsen or improves gradually.