Patient's question:
My daughter was just born a week or two ago, and her face has been a bit yellow. It's said that jaundice can also manifest as a yellow face, but I'm not sure. The family doesn't understand, so I wanted to ask if newborn jaundice is just about the face being yellow?Doctor's answer:
Neonatal jaundice refers to the condition during the neonatal period where abnormal bilirubin metabolism leads to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood, resulting in the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. It is the most common clinical issue in newborns. This condition can be categorized into two major types: physiological and pathological. A light yellow hue is limited to the face and neck, or it may affect the torso. The yellowing of the sclera typically subsides within 2-3 days and the skin color returns to normal within 5-6 days. In severe cases, the entire body may appear yellow.