Patient's question:
My baby is 7 days old and has slightly high jaundice. The doctor recommended blue light treatment and injections. She advised us to transfer to pediatrics. The jaundice level is 14.4?14.5?14.3. We are undecided. She said that if untreated, it may lead to meningitis. How many days does neonatal jaundice usually last?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. Physiological jaundice is a temporary 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. If it persists beyond the normal timeframe, pathological jaundice should be suspected.