Question
How long does physiological jaundice typically last in newborns?
Answer
About 60-80% of newborns will experience physiological jaundice after birth. This type of jaundice usually appears within 2-3 days after birth, peaks at 4-6 days, and begins to gradually fade after 7-10 days. Full-term neonates’ jaundice usually disappears completely within 14 days, while premature infants may need up to 20 days. If the jaundice level of full-term neonates exceeds 13mg/dL, or premature infants exceed 15mg/dL, or if the neonate’s jaundice level exceeds 5mg/dL within 24 hours of birth, or more than 0.5mg/dL within 1 hour, it may be diagnosed as pathological jaundice and requires timely intervention and treatment. Pathological jaundice may be caused by hemolytic disease, viral hepatitis, or cytomegalovirus, and usually resolves within 14 to 20 days after birth without recurrence.