Patient's question:
My daughter was born just a few days ago. Recently, I suddenly noticed something wrong with the baby. Her legs and hands started to feel cold, and her skin turned a deep red. Then, I quickly took her to the hospital for a check-up. The doctor at the hospital said the baby had neonatal jaundice. What are the causes of neonatal jaundice?Doctor's answer:
The baby's surface area is relatively large. The skin is thin and delicate. The blood vessels are rich, making it easy for heat to dissipate. Its metabolism is the primary energy source for the baby to generate heat in a cold environment. During hunger, the energy source is white fat. If the baby's surrounding environmental temperature is too low or heat dissipation is excessive, the body temperature will drop. When the baby has a severe infection, the body temperature may not rise. Under these conditions, subcutaneous fat tends to solidify and become hard, making it prone to edema. As a result, hardening of the skin occurs.