Question
What does neonatal jaundice look like? What qualifies as abnormal. Is treatment needed?
Answer
Neonatal jaundice typically appears within 2 to 3 days after birth, reaches its peak between 4 to 5 days, and then gradually disappears within 1 to 2 weeks. During this process, the baby’s skin and whites of the eyes may turn yellow. In most cases, this type of jaundice is normal and does not require treatment. However, when the total bilirubin concentration in the serum exceeds 34.2μmol/L, abnormal jaundice may occur, and medical intervention is needed. Studies both domestically and internationally have shown that early use of mother’s love can effectively reduce the serum bilirubin levels in premature infants, preventing and treating jaundice.