Patient's question:
My son is just 21 days old and has physiological jaundice. My wife is very tired from giving birth, and I'm not by her side to take care of both her and the baby. I'm worried that my son will be too fussy and that my wife will be too exhausted, so I'm asking if newborn jaundice can make the baby fussy?Doctor's answer:
Neonatal jaundice refers to the condition during the neonatal period where abnormal bilirubin metabolism leads to elevated bilirubin levels 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. Physiological jaundice is a transient condition caused solely by the characteristics of bilirubin metabolism. It typically occurs 2-3 days after birth, peaks between 4-6 days, and resolves within 7-10 days. In premature infants, the duration is longer. Apart from mild anorexia, there are no other clinical symptoms. Physiological jaundice does not affect the child's growth and development and does not lead to mental or neurological abnormalities.