How many days does it take for neonatal jaundice to disappear?

Neonatal jaundice usually subsides within 2 to 3 weeks after birth, but the specific duration varies from person to person. Early identification and proper care are key to helping newborns recover. The following will explain the causes of neonatal jaundice and provide care advice.

1. Cause Analysis

Neonatal jaundice is mainly caused by the liver not being fully mature, which leads to temporary poor bilirubin metabolism. Physiological jaundice is the most common, which is characterized by the appearance of the second to fourth day after birth and usually disappears within two weeks. Pathological jaundice may be caused by hemolytic diseases, infections or genetic diseases, and requires prompt medical attention.

2. Physiological factors

Different liver maturity is the basic cause of neonatal jaundice. Most newborns will experience physiological jaundice for a period of time. In terms of care, feeding frequency and breast milk quality are crucial. Breastfed newborns need frequent feedings to help promote bilirubin excretion.

3. Pathological factors

If jaundice appears before 24 hours after birth or lasts for more than 3 weeks and is accompanied by extreme lethargy, unresponsiveness, and abnormal stool color, it may be pathological jaundice. In this case, doctors usually do a blood test to determine the bilirubin level and consider interventions such as light therapy, immune globulin injections, or exchange transfusion.

4. Environmental impact

Sunlight exposure helps degrade unconjugated bilirubin. When caring for your baby at home, you can place your baby near a window when the sun is mild to help reduce jaundice. However, be careful to avoid overexposure to avoid sunburn.

Neonatal jaundice is usually a temporary and self-limiting phenomenon, and the related symptoms will subside naturally in most healthy newborns. However, when jaundice persists for too long or is accompanied by other sudden symptoms, parents should seek medical attention in time to ensure the health of the newborn. Through proper observation and care, the impact of jaundice on newborns can be effectively reduced to ensure the healthy growth of the baby.