Patient's question:
A relative just had a baby, and it's been a week. On the third day, they were discharged from the hospital. The relative noticed that the baby's face was yellow and asked the doctor, who said it was physiological jaundice and not a big deal, that it would go away in a few days. But now it's been over a week, and it hasn't gone away yet. How many days does it usually take for it to disappear?Doctor's answer:
Hello. Neonatal jaundice refers to a disease characterized by the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera, occurring within the first 28 days after birth (moonlight period), due to incomplete liver function and abnormal bilirubin metabolism, leading to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood and deposition of bilirubin on the skin surface. This condition is very common in newborns. Neonatal jaundice can be divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice is generally mild and typically occurs two to three days after birth, usually resolving within 1 to 3 weeks. Pathological jaundice is more severe, with some children developing it within 24 hours of birth, while others may experience it within 1 to 2 weeks and it may persist for 2 to 3 weeks without subsiding, even worsening. If not treated promptly, it may lead to serious sequelae or even death. It is recommended to take the child to the hospital for follow-up and seek medical treatment if necessary.