Question

The baby started to turn yellow after one month and has been treated at the Wuzhou Workers Hospital in Guangxi. The yellowing is still present.

Answer

Jaundice in newborns serves a protective function for the body, shielding it from damage by free radicals. All infants and adult bodies have protective mechanisms against free radicals. The latest research suggests that bilirubin in infants has a protective effect on them; this pigment is an antioxidant that causes newborns to appear slightly jaundiced. Mild jaundice in newborns is physiological, but high levels of bilirubin in the body after birth should be taken seriously, as it may indicate the occurrence of pathological conditions.