Question
During the peak period of neonatal jaundice, the baby’s face appears jaundiced, and the soles of the feet are slightly yellow. The baby can sleep continuously for three to four hours before waking up to nurse, with strong suckling power, and occasionally has vomiting. How can one distinguish the type of the baby’s jaundice?
Answer
Neonatal jaundice primarily consists of two types: physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice usually has mild symptoms with a jaundice level between 12 to 15. Pathological jaundice, on the other hand, is more severe with higher jaundice levels. For infants with jaundice, it is recommended to adequately supplement fluids and provide proper feeding. If diagnosed with pathological jaundice, seek the underlying cause and treat the primary disease. Medication treatment can be employed, along with blue light therapy to reduce the risk of bilirubin encephalopathy.