Question
My newborn’s eyes seem yellowish soon after birth. What causes jaundice to worsen in newborns?
Answer
Fetal jaundice often occurs due to damp and hot invasion affecting the pregnant woman, leading to the development of postpartum fetal jaundice. During pregnancy, pregnant women should pay attention to their diet, avoid drinking alcohol and hot drinks, and prevent damage to the spleen and stomach. After the baby is born, close observation of the baby’s conjunctival jaundice is needed, and timely treatment should be sought. It is also important to monitor the changes in the color of the jaundice to understand the progression of jaundice. Additionally, attention should be paid to the baby’s systemic symptoms such as depression, drowsiness, difficulty in suckling, fear, strabismus, rigidity, and convulsions, so that severe cases can be detected and treated early.