Question
The baby has been born for four days, and yesterday we noticed that its skin is slightly yellow. If a newborn develops jaundice, when is it usually able to fade?
Answer
Neonatal jaundice occurs due to abnormal bilirubin metabolism during the neonatal period, leading to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood and subsequently causing yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera, which is one of the most common clinical problems in newborns. This condition can be divided into two main categories: physiological and pathological. Physiological jaundice is a temporary jaundice caused by bilirubin metabolism, which usually appears 2 to 3 days after birth, reaches its peak between 4 to 6 days, and gradually fades between 7 to 10 days. The fading time may be longer for premature infants. Apart from slight loss of appetite, there are no other clinical symptoms.