Question
My child was born just a few weeks ago and has developed jaundice. Medications haven’t had much effect, and due to this condition, the child has no appetite; even when they do eat, they tend to vomit. After nearly two weeks, the child hasn’t gained any weight. I would like to learn about the care methods for newborn jaundice.
Answer
Newborn jaundice is one of the most common clinical issues in newborns. It is caused by abnormal bilirubin metabolism, resulting in yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera, as well as an elevated bilirubin level in the blood. Newborn jaundice is usually a normal condition that does not require special treatment. Jaundice typically subsides gradually within about a week. You can observe your child’s response to ensure they are eating, sleeping, and defecating normally. At the same time, provide sufficient breastfeeding as breast milk helps to expel excess bilirubin from the body. If your child has no appetite, try feeding them in smaller, more frequent intervals to avoid overfeeding. Please contact your doctor promptly for more advice on caring for newborn jaundice.