Question
The newborn is only seven days old and their eyes have shown signs of jaundice. Is this condition severe?
Answer
Newborn jaundice is a common occurrence, with over half of newborns starting to exhibit it within 2-3 days after birth. For full-term infants, it typically resolves naturally within 2 weeks, while for premature infants, it may persist for 3-4 weeks. If jaundice appears early, is severe, or does not recede, it may indicate pathological jaundice. In such cases, a serum bilirubin test is required, and treatment should be administered based on the test results to prevent the development of kernicterus.