Question
At 14 days old, a newborn is found to have jaundice in the eyes, skin, and areas around the mouth and gums. How should it be handled?
Answer
Jaundice in newborns typically appears around three days after birth and gradually diminishes within a month. If the jaundice does not subside after a month, it is advisable to take the child to the hospital for a bilirubin index test. If the index is elevated, active treatment may be required, possibly including blue light therapy. If the jaundice is caused by breast milk, it may be necessary to temporarily stop breastfeeding for a few days.