Question
I don’t know what’s going on, but my child has been crying and refusing to listen lately. We’ve gone to the hospital and checked, but it doesn’t seem to help. What could cause neonatal jaundice?
Answer
Your situation may be due to physiological jaundice. Mild physiological jaundice appears as a pale yellow color, confined to the face and neck, or may extend to the trunk, with the conjunctiva also becoming yellowish. It usually subsides after 2 to 3 days, with the skin color returning to normal by the 5th to 6th day; in severe cases, jaundice may also appear first on the head and then on the feet, covering the entire body. Vomiting material and cerebrospinal fluid can also become yellowish, lasting for more than a week. Particularly, some premature infants may continue for up to 4 weeks, with their stools remaining yellow and urine free of bilirubin. Blue light therapy is recommended and can be effective.