Question
My baby’s eyes have a bit of yellow after birth, and after a couple of days, their face also turns yellow. It gets more yellow every day, and now it’s over 50 days old, and their face is still a bit yellow. I would like to ask what dangers neonatal jaundice poses?
Answer
Severe jaundice in infants can lead to indirect bilirubin entering brain tissue, causing brain damage known as bilirubin encephalopathy, sometimes referred to as kernicterus. Some infants with severe cases may die as a result. Many infants who survive after rescue may eventually suffer from neurological sequelae, such as motor dysfunction, hearing impairment, and intellectual disability. Therefore, it is recommended that infants with persistent jaundice on their face undergo bilirubin testing to determine the cause and receive timely treatment.