Question

Does a newborn exhibit crying when they have jaundice? The baby’s urine has been consistently yellow after birth, and the jaundice has not subsided by the 11th day, but there are no other obvious symptoms. Is this a normal phenomenon?

Answer

Hello. Newborn jaundice is one of the most common clinical issues in newborns, characterized by abnormal bilirubin metabolism leading to yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera, thereby increasing the bilirubin levels in the blood. This condition can be categorized into physiological and pathological types. Physiological jaundice is solely caused by the characteristics of bilirubin metabolism and usually occurs 2 to 3 days after birth, peaking between 4 to 6 days, and gradually subsiding after 7 to 10 days. Based on your description, it is highly likely to be a case of physiological jaundice, which typically does not require special treatment and only requires monitoring of bilirubin levels. As for the baby’s crying, it is not a specific symptom of jaundice.