Question
When newborns develop jaundice, parents are often confused about whether hospitalization is necessary and have doubts about the doctor’s recommendation to prescribe Barberry Extract Oral Solution and to stop breastfeeding for three days. Parents hope to understand the specific concept of neonatal jaundice.
Answer
Neonatal jaundice refers to a condition in which, during the early infancy period, abnormal bilirubin metabolism leads to yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. This condition can be categorized into three types: physiological jaundice, pathological jaundice, and breastfeeding jaundice. If a baby develops jaundice within 24 hours after birth, it is most likely pathological jaundice, which requires hospitalization to prevent the occurrence of bilirubin encephalopathy and subsequent impact on brain development.