Question
A relative just had a baby and the child was discharged from the hospital three days after birth. The relative noticed that the baby’s face was yellowish and asked a doctor, who said it was physiological jaundice, not a big deal, and it would fade away in a few days. However, it has been more than a week now, and it still hasn’t gone away. How long will it take for it to disappear?
Answer
Neonatal jaundice is a condition caused by impaired liver function and abnormal bilirubin metabolism, leading to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood and bilirubin deposition on the skin surface. This condition is quite common in newborns. Neonatal jaundice can be categorized into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice is generally mild, usually occurring two to three days after birth and disappearing within one to three weeks. Pathological jaundice is more severe, with some children showing symptoms within 24 hours after birth, and others within one to several weeks, persisting for two to three weeks without improvement, and sometimes even worsening. If not treated promptly, it may lead to severe complications, even death. It is recommended to bring the child to the hospital for follow-up care and treatment if necessary.