Question
Jaundice in newborns is a common occurrence, but how can one differentiate between physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice?
Answer
Physiological jaundice is a temporary condition caused by bilirubin metabolism, typically appearing 2 to 3 days after birth, reaching its peak between 4 to 6 days, and gradually fading between 7 to 10 days. In premature infants, it may last longer. Apart from slight loss of appetite, there are no other clinical symptoms. If jaundice appears within 24 hours after birth, with a daily increase in serum bilirubin exceeding 5mg/dL or more than 0.5mg/dL per hour; if it persists for a long duration, with full-term infants exceeding 2 weeks and premature infants exceeding 4 weeks without regression, or if it recurs after fading, or if jaundice appears within one week to several weeks after birth, these are all signs of pathological jaundice. Pathological jaundice requires medical evaluation and appropriate treatment.