Patient's question:
The child had jaundice right after birth, with a jaundice level of 12. The doctor prescribed some medication and advised to get more sun exposure to help reduce the jaundice. But where is the sun in winter? What should we do if a newborn has jaundice without sun exposure in winter?Doctor's answer:
Jaundice refers to a condition in newborns where abnormal bilirubin metabolism leads to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood, characterized by yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. It is the most common clinical issue in newborns. This condition can be classified as physiological or pathological. Physiological jaundice is a temporary condition caused solely by the characteristics of bilirubin metabolism. It typically appears 2 to 3 days after birth, peaks between 4 to 6 days, and resolves within 7 to 10 days. Premature infants may experience a longer duration of jaundice. It is recommended that half of these cases require medical guidance and follow-up treatment after examination, and further reexamination is necessary.