Question
My child is 21 days old, and the yellowing of the face has not disappeared, and the whites of the eyes are also yellow. I don’t know if this is normal?
Answer
Jaundice in newborns, discovered within 24 hours after birth and disappearing naturally within 14 days without other symptoms, is known as physiological jaundice. Approximately 50% of normal newborns experience physiological jaundice, with a higher incidence of up to 80% in premature infants. Physiological jaundice usually appears on the third day after birth, and may be delayed until the fifth day. The color is generally light, appearing as a pale yellow, and usually resolves within 2-3 days. In more severe cases, it may take up to the fifth or sixth day after birth to disappear. For premature infants, the jaundice should not exceed 7-10 days. Jaundice that persists beyond 14 days is considered prolonged jaundice or may be pathological jaundice caused by other diseases.