Question
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: My child has been born for over 30 days, but the facial jaundice has not completely subsided. What should I do now? Does this have an impact on the child’s health? The doctor suggested temporarily stopping breastfeeding for 3 days. Is this necessary?
Answer
Hello! When a neonate develops jaundice, it’s crucial to first determine whether it’s pathological jaundice or breastmilk jaundice, so appropriate treatment measures can be taken. Physiological jaundice usually appears within 2-3 days after birth, reaches its peak at 4-5 days, and subsides naturally within half a month. The following situations may indicate pathological jaundice: jaundice appearing within 24 hours of birth; jaundice persisting for more than half a month without subsiding; skin yellowing is severe, affecting even the soles of the feet; skin yellowing reappears after physiological jaundice has subsided; no jaundice at birth, but it appears half a month later. Additionally, there is a special type of jaundice called breastmilk jaundice. In such cases, breastfeeding can be temporarily stopped until the jaundice resolves, and then resumed. Pathological jaundice requires attention as it is often associated with certain diseases and the cause should be sought. Without considering the high bilirubin concentration, it may cross the blood-brain barrier and damage brain cells, leading to kernicterus, which can even result in death or complications such as cerebral palsy or intellectual disability. Therefore, if there is any suspicion of pathological jaundice in neonates, immediate medical attention should be sought. We recommend following the doctor’s guidance for treatment.