Question
Can newborn jaundice generally be treated, and our baby was born a week ago, but there is still a lot of jaundice on their body. What are the general causes of jaundice?
Answer
Newborn jaundice is a condition caused by abnormal bilirubin metabolism during the neonatal period, leading to an elevated level of bilirubin in the blood, which results in yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. This condition can be divided into two categories: physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice is a temporary yellowing caused by bilirubin metabolism and usually appears 2 to 3 days after birth, reaches its peak between 4 to 6 days, and then subsides after 7 to 10 days. Jaundice symptoms in premature infants may last longer. In the case of physiological jaundice, there are usually no other clinical symptoms besides slight loss of appetite. At this time, it is important to observe the baby’s condition and monitor the bilirubin levels.