Question
A newborn baby, six days after birth, has parents who notice that the baby’s face and skin have turned yellow, suspecting neonatal jaundice. How should one perform a skin test for jaundice?
Answer
Neonatal jaundice can be categorized into pathological, physiological, and breast milk types. Pathological jaundice may lead to bilirubin encephalopathy, causing irreversible brain damage, and therefore requires blue light therapy and corresponding medication. Physiological and breast milk jaundice usually do not require medical intervention. If a newborn shows signs of jaundice, consider the possibility of pathological or breast milk jaundice and it is recommended to undergo a professional examination promptly to avoid delaying treatment.