Question
Why do newborns experience jaundice after birth?
Answer
The causes of neonatal jaundice are diverse, with physiological jaundice being a unique phenomenon in the neonatal period. In the womb, the fetus is in a low-oxygen environment, which leads to an overproduction of red blood cells. These red blood cells are also not fully mature and are prone to destruction, resulting in an excess of bilirubin, about twice as much as in adults. On the other hand, the liver function of newborns is not yet fully developed, and they cannot effectively metabolize bilirubin, leading to the appearance of jaundice in newborns for a period of time after birth.