Patient's question:
My child is 21 days old, and the yellowish complexion has not subsided, nor has the white of the eyes turned yellow. I don't know if it's normal?Doctor's answer:
Physiological jaundice is discovered 24 hours after a child's birth and naturally disappears within 14 days without other symptoms. It is called physiological jaundice, and 50% of normal newborns develop it. For premature infants, the incidence of physiological jaundice is higher, reaching up to 80%.Physiological jaundice usually appears on the third day after birth. Early cases may appear on the second day, while later cases can manifest on the fifth day. The color is generally light yellow and typically disappears within 2-3 days. In slightly more severe cases, it may persist for 5-6 days after jaundice appears. However, in premature infants, jaundice should not last more than 7-10 days. Jaundice lasting beyond 14 days is considered prolonged jaundice or pathological jaundice caused by other diseases.