Question
My newborn has jaundice and thrombocytopenia just two days after birth. Is this normal?
Answer
Neonatal jaundice can be either physiological or pathological. Physiological jaundice typically appears 2 to 3 days after birth, gradually deepens, reaches its peak between the 4th and 6th day, and then gradually subsides. Full-term newborns usually resolve within 2 weeks after birth, while preterm infants take about 3 weeks to resolve. Pathological jaundice, however, is caused by abnormal bilirubin metabolism due to disease and may appear soon after birth with deeper jaundice that can affect the entire body and be accompanied by other abnormal symptoms. Pathological jaundice can be categorized into infectious and non-infectious types, with causes including bacterial or viral infections, hemolytic jaundice, biliary atresia, and genetic diseases. If a newborn’s jaundice exhibits the characteristics of pathological jaundice mentioned above, it is essential to seek medical attention for diagnosis and treatment promptly.