Question
When should neonatal jaundice be treated?
Answer
The timing for treating neonatal jaundice depends on the type and appearance time of the jaundice. Physiological jaundice typically begins two to three days after birth and starts to fade after seven days, with most of the jaundice disappearing clean by about fourteen to fifteen days. Breastmilk jaundice appears seven days after birth and may take longer to resolve, sometimes requiring about a month. If the jaundice appears within 24 hours after birth, medical evaluation and treatment should be sought promptly.