Question
The newborn has reached one month of age and previously had a normal jaundice level checked at the hospital, but the face still appears yellow and has not faded. If the jaundice level is normal, what could be the reasons for the yellow face?
Answer
If the newborn shows no symptoms of jaundice, the yellow face could be related to anemia. Newborns grow rapidly and their blood volume increases quickly. Usually, infants use stored iron to meet their needs, initially requiring no additional iron supplementation from their diet. However, as weight increases and significant anemia symptoms appear, which are often iron-deficiency anemia, this is usually not due to a lack of iron in the diet. The child may experience reduced appetite, poor gastrointestinal absorption, and other symptoms. Long-term vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, enteritis, and steatorrhea can all affect nutrient absorption.