How Long Does Neonatal Jaundice Last?

Neonatal jaundice includes both physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. It usually resolves within a week. Physiological jaundice is a temporary condition caused by bilirubin metabolism, occurring 2 to 3 days after birth. It reaches its peak between 4 to 6 days and subsides between 7 to 10 days. Preterm infants have a longer duration. Besides mild loss of appetite, there are no other clinical symptoms. If jaundice occurs within 24 hours after birth, the daily increase in serum bilirubin exceeds 5 mg/dL per hour or 0.5 mg/dL; it may last longer. For full-term infants, it is 2 weeks; for preterm infants, it is 4 weeks.
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