How long is the incubation period for neonatal jaundice?

Written by Li Jiao Yan

Neonatology

Updated on September 05, 2024

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Neonatal jaundice is the most common phenomenon in the neonatal period, especially in early neonates, which refers to newborns within the first week of life. About 80% of full-term infants can visually exhibit signs of jaundice. Jaundice can be categorized into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Typically, physiological jaundice appears about two to three days after birth. If it is pathological jaundice, it may appear earlier, possibly within the first twenty-four hours after birth. Generally, if the jaundice appears early, progresses quickly, and is severe, it is necessary to intervene and treat promptly.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan

Neonatology

1min 47sec

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How should a newborn with jaundice be sunbathed?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common symptoms in newborns, and it is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. In cases of physiological jaundice, the baby is generally in good condition, the onset does not occur very early, and the duration is not very long, generally requiring no special intervention. If the jaundice progresses more quickly, it usually peaks around the fourth or fifth day for normal babies. At this time, if parents are concerned, they can appropriately expose the baby to sunlight. Sunlight has a certain effect on reducing jaundice by irradiating the skin. It is generally required that the skin be exposed directly to the sun without going through glass, ideally when the sunlight is not too strong, the external air temperature is not too low, the wind is not too strong, and the weather is good. Generally, the baby should lie in the sun with skin exposed, and some may choose to lie on their backs, but it is important to protect the eyes from direct sunlight. Another method is to let the baby lie on their stomach to expose their back and buttocks to the sun. The duration of exposure should not be too long. If the skin shows obvious redness, it should be stopped immediately, as strong ultraviolet rays could potentially cause sunburn, which might lead to discomfort for the baby. Therefore, when exposing a newborn with jaundice to sunlight, parents should be careful not to overdo it, and also make sure the baby does not get too cold.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan

Neonatology

1min 35sec

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How should newborns with jaundice sunbathe?

Generally, when we say that the jaundice level is high, doctors might suggest sunbathing when it approaches pathological values, and possibly taking probiotics with live bacteria to help the baby recover from jaundice. Normally, for sunbathing, it is advised not to do it through glass, and to expose the skin directly to the sun, but you should not expose the baby's eyes directly to the sun because the ultraviolet rays are too strong and may damage the eyes. Additionally, when sunbathing, if it is during the cooler seasons like winter, spring, or autumn, it is important to ensure the baby does not catch a cold. If it is summer, avoid sunbathing during times when the sun is too strong, as the baby's delicate skin might get sunburned, potentially causing harm. Therefore, it is generally best to choose conditions when the temperature is mild and the wind is not too strong, then pay attention to keeping warm or avoiding sunburn. Generally, it is not recommended to use sunscreen or shade for sunbathing; direct exposure of the skin is needed. Parents should consider the actual condition of the disease and try to make the baby as comfortable as possible, avoiding colds or sunburn. If sunbathing is not effective, it is advisable to promptly visit the hospital for a doctor to determine if treatment intervention is necessary.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan

Neonatology

1min 10sec

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Symptoms of higher neonatal jaundice

Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms during the neonatal period, with about 80% of full-term infants visibly exhibiting jaundice. Jaundice may occur as part of the normal developmental process or as a manifestation of certain diseases. It is categorized into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. High levels of jaundice may indicate pathological jaundice. Generally, if the baby's skin and mucous membranes are obviously yellow, and the jaundice has spread to the limbs or even beyond the palms and soles, which are also notably yellow, it is a sign that the jaundice is severe. Parents can typically observe a clear yellowing of the sclera, the white part of the eyes. The baby may also show other signs of discomfort, such as significant crying and restlessness, pronounced vomiting or increased regurgitation, or even symptoms like abdominal bloating, diarrhea, reluctance to feed, prolonged feeding times, lethargy, or potentially even fever and other discomforts.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan

Neonatology

1min 3sec

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What is the normal bilirubin value for newborn jaundice?

Neonatal jaundice is the most common occurrence during the newborn period, and it is routine to monitor jaundice in babies after birth until they are one month old. During the peak period of jaundice, the frequency of testing tends to increase. Normally, we say that jaundice levels should not exceed 6 within 24 hours, 9 within 48 hours, 12 within 72 hours, and ideally not exceed 15 after 72 hours. If the levels are higher than these values, or if the jaundice progresses too quickly, meaning that the rate increases by more than five milligrams per deciliter every twenty-four hours, this might indicate a pathological condition. In such cases, it is advisable to go to the hospital promptly for a specialist neonatologist to conduct a detailed examination of the baby to see if intervention is needed. Generally, if the baby's jaundice level has risen, it is best to monitor jaundice daily whenever possible after two weeks.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan

Neonatology

46sec

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neonatal jaundice subsidence time

Neonatal jaundice is a common phenomenon and a unique condition in newborns. If it is normal physiological jaundice, it generally subsides within two weeks for full-term infants born after 37 weeks. This means that after two weeks, the jaundice is essentially gone; the skin and eyes are no longer yellow, and bilirubin levels are typically below 6-7, which is considered normal. For premature infants, the jaundice generally clears within four weeks. If the jaundice persists longer, there might be some pathological factors involved, and it is advisable to visit a hospital for a thorough evaluation by a doctor to determine if any special treatment is needed.