What are the symptoms of neonatal jaundice?

Symptoms of neonatal jaundice include yellowing of the skin and sclera, which is a manifestation of elevated bilirubin levels. Early symptoms begin on the face and eyes and may then spread to the entire body. Most cases are physiological jaundice, but if jaundice is severe or lasts for too long, immediate medical attention is required to rule out pathological causes.

1Symptoms of mild jaundice

Physiological jaundice usually appears 2-3 days after birth and reaches its peak 4-6 days after birth, showing as a slight yellowing of the face, neck and whites of the eyes. When the bilirubin concentration is low, the color of the jaundice may be very light, covering only a small area, and the newborn is generally in good condition and feeds normally. Most of these cases are physiological jaundice, which can be observed to gradually disappear on its own.

2. Symptoms of moderate jaundice

As bilirubin levels continue to rise, jaundice will spread to the trunk and limbs, and the palms and soles of the newborn may also appear yellow. Parents need to pay close attention to jaundice at this stage, especially whether the severity of jaundice increases over time, and observe whether the newborn has abnormal conditions such as decreased appetite and drowsiness. If the bilirubin value exceeds a certain level, medical intervention may be required.

3. Symptoms of severe or pathological jaundice

Pathological jaundice usually appears earlier than 24 hours or lasts for more than 2 weeks, and is manifested by deep yellow skin color and severe icterus of the sclera. Severe cases may be accompanied by convulsions, sharp crying, trembling limbs and other symptoms, indicating the possibility of bilirubin encephalopathy, a serious complication that endangers health or even life. The cause of pathological jaundice may be related to hemolytic diseases, infections, cholestasis, etc., and further diagnosis is required through blood tests and liver function tests.

4Symptom-based treatment

Mild jaundice usually does not require special treatment, and the excretion of bilirubin can be promoted by increasing the frequency of feeding; moderate or severe jaundice often requires blue light irradiation treatment to break down bilirubin in the skin; severe jaundice requires hospitalization for observation and may require exchange transfusion therapy to reduce bilirubin levels. At the same time, parents need to ensure that the baby has adequate nutrition intake and avoid dehydration.

If the jaundice of the newborn does not subside for more than 2 weeks or the symptoms are severe, you need to consult a doctor as soon as possible to clarify the cause and get comprehensive treatment. Timely identification of jaundice symptoms and scientific treatment can effectively avoid the occurrence of serious complications and ensure the healthy growth of the newborn.