Patient's question:
My baby has been born for about three days. Since this morning, there has been some yellowing on the baby's body, and he has also shown some signs of lethargy and difficulty waking up. Does jaundice in the baby affect sleep?Doctor's answer:
Jaundice in infants refers to the condition during infancy where abnormal metabolism of bilirubin 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 infants. This condition can be categorized into two major types: physiological and pathological. Physiological jaundice typically does not require special treatment and does not affect sleep. Pathological jaundice requires blue light therapy and may lead to kernicterus, affecting neurological function.