Patient's question:
My son was born with physiological jaundice at 21 days. My wife gave birth, and she was in very bad condition. I couldn't be with her, so I couldn't take care of them. I'm worried that my son will be too much trouble and that my wife will be too hard-pressed. So, I'm asking if newborn jaundice can be troublesome?Doctor's answer:
Neonatal jaundice refers to a condition during the neonatal period 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 among 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 this condition, with only mild loss of appetite as the primary clinical symptom. Physiological jaundice does not affect a child's growth and development and does not lead to any neurological abnormalities.