Question
Our 42-day-old baby has normal eating and sleeping habits, but there is only slight jaundice on their face, which is not visible on the limbs and trunk. They were seen by a doctor at three weeks old, who said there was nothing to worry about. Now at 42 days old, the facial jaundice is still present. Is this normal? Do we need to seek medical examination again?
Answer
Newborns commonly experience a special physiological phenomenon known as physiological jaundice. This condition is not normal in adults or older children. Full-term newborns usually develop it 2 to 3 days after birth, with the skin appearing slightly yellow and the whites of the eyes showing a faint blue-yellow tint. The urine may be slightly yellow but should not stain the diapers, and the baby should not feel uncomfortable. The peak of jaundice occurs around the fourth day, and it gradually subsides over about a week. When observing jaundice, it should be done under natural light; if the environment is dim or the light too strong, parents should pay attention to timely observation. The blood bilirubin level for physiological jaundice is between 2 and 12 mg/dL.