Question
What is the cause of a newborn’s whites of the eyes turning yellow? My baby, born five days ago, has been found to have yellowish whites of the eyes, along with some yellowish discharge. What could be the reason?
Answer
Based on your description, considering the possibility of jaundice, a check-up is necessary to confirm. Jaundice is categorized into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice usually resolves naturally within the first half month after birth. Pathological jaundice appears earlier and is more severe, potentially caused by factors such as breast milk type, blood incompatibility, and liver bile diseases. Once pathological jaundice is diagnosed, patients need to be hospitalized for oral medication and blue light therapy treatment to prevent bilirubin encephalopathy and to regularly monitor their condition.