Question
The newborn has been born for 13 days, but the jaundice symptoms have not subsided. What could be the possible causes? How can jaundice be categorized, and how can it be identified and cared for?
Answer
Jaundice is a common phenomenon in newborns, which usually gradually decreases after a period of peak occurrence. If breastfeeding is stopped for 48 hours, the bilirubin level may drop by 50%. If breastfeeding is resumed, the bilirubin level may rise again, a condition known as breastfeeding jaundice. Pathological jaundice can be caused by various factors, and in severe cases, it may lead to ‘bilirubin encephalopathy’, which can result in neurological damage even death. Therefore, preventive measures are particularly important for pathological jaundice in newborns, such as preventing infections with toxoplasmosis and rubella during pregnancy, especially in the early stages; preventing neonatal anemia after birth; and administering the B-type hepatitis vaccine at birth.