Question
About three days after birth, newborns may exhibit a yellowish appearance and excessive sleepiness, making it difficult to wake them. Does jaundice affect a newborn’s sleep?
Answer
Jaundice in infants is a common clinical problem caused by an abnormal metabolism of bilirubin, leading to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood and resulting in yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. This condition can be categorized into physiological and pathological types. Physiological jaundice usually does not require special treatment and does not affect sleep. However, pathological jaundice may require blue light therapy and could lead to kernicterus, affecting neurological function. Therefore, if newborns show symptoms of jaundice, they should seek medical attention promptly to determine the type of jaundice and receive appropriate treatment.