Question

What Are the Symptoms of Neonatal Physiological Jaundice?

Answer

  1. Mild physiological jaundice appears as a light yellow color, confined to the face and neck, or may involve the trunk. The conjunctiva of the eyes may also turn yellow. Symptoms usually begin 2 to 3 days after birth and gradually subside after 5 to 6 days.
  2. Severe cases of jaundice can affect the entire body, including vomit and cerebrospinal fluid. Symptoms may last for more than a week, and in some cases, premature infants’ jaundice may last for 4 weeks. However, the color of stool remains yellow, and urine does not contain bilirubin.
  3. The color of jaundice ranges from light yellow to darker shades, but the skin remains rosy with a red tinge.
  4. Jaundice primarily appears on the trunk, eyes, and proximal parts of the limbs, generally not extending beyond the elbows and knees.