Question
What precautions should be taken for neonatal physiological jaundice?
Answer
Neonatal physiological jaundice occurs when newborns must metabolize the decomposition products of hemoglobin themselves, specifically unconjugated bilirubin. However, the glucuronyltransferase in full-term infants matures in 3 to 5 days and in premature infants in 5 to 7 days. Adding this to the previously mentioned characteristics of neonatal bilirubin metabolism, physiological jaundice in newborns occurs. The vast majority of neonatal physiological jaundice appears within 2 to 3 days after birth, reaches its peak between 4 and 6 days, and naturally fades between 10 and 14 days. Some cases may last for 3 to 4 weeks, more commonly seen in premature infants.