Do newborns with jaundice love to sleep?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on November 13, 2024
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In newborns with jaundice, it is important to determine whether it is physiological or pathological jaundice. Typically, babies with normal physiological jaundice are generally in good condition, able to eat and sleep well. If they are hungry or uncomfortable, they will cry and wake up. However, if a baby continuously sleeps without waking up for a long period of time, does not wake up even when stimulated, it might indicate a condition of excessive sleepiness, which then falls into a pathological state. If the jaundice significantly worsens and affects the brain, it is often referred to as bilirubin encephalopathy, which might initially manifest as excessive sleepiness. Severe infections or other diseases can also present excessive sleepiness as a symptom. Therefore, if you notice that the baby is sleeping significantly more than usual, and appears lethargic and unresponsive, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What is considered high for neonatal jaundice?

Neonatal jaundice is common during the neonatal period and can be divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice does not require intervention or treatment, and the baby's condition is generally okay. For physiological jaundice, the bilirubin level typically does not exceed 6 within the first 24 hours after birth, then not exceeding 9 from 24 to 48 hours, not exceeding 12 from 48 to 72 hours, and not exceeding 15 after 72 hours. If the monitored bilirubin levels exceed these ranges, there may be pathological jaundice, indicating abnormally high levels.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Neonatal jaundice peak period is a few days.

Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms during the neonatal period; it could be a normal physiological phenomenon, or it might be an external manifestation of certain diseases. Typically, physiological jaundice appears two to three days after birth, reaches its peak within four to five days in full-term infants, and may appear sooner and be more severe in preterm infants due to their less mature liver function. The peak period lasts longer for preterm babies; generally, in full-term infants, jaundice usually starts declining about a week later, subsiding around ten days, generally not lasting more than two weeks.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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neonatal jaundice standard values

Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms during the neonatal period. It can be a normal physiological phenomenon or a manifestation of certain diseases. Jaundice is generally divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice does not appear very early, progresses slowly, lasts a short time, and is not very severe. Generally, for jaundice monitoring, it is recommended that newborns be closely monitored for changes in jaundice. Jaundice within 24 hours after birth generally does not exceed 6 milligrams per deciliter. From 24 to 48 hours, it generally does not exceed 9, and from 48 to 72 hours it does not exceed 12. After 72 hours, the jaundice level should not exceed 15. If monitoring shows that the jaundice level exceeds the normal range, it is advisable to go to the hospital promptly. The doctor will then determine the specifics of bilirubin levels in the blood. If bilirubin in the blood is indeed elevated, timely intervention and treatment are recommended.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Which department should a newborn with jaundice go to?

If a newborn has jaundice, it is first necessary to distinguish whether it is physiological jaundice or pathological jaundice. For physiological jaundice, it is self-healing, so there is no need to visit a hospital. As for pathological jaundice, it occurs within 24 hours after birth, or the daily increase in jaundice is particularly large, exceeding the normal range. In such cases, the child should be taken to the hospital for timely medical treatment. Generally, for general hospitals, it is appropriate to visit the pediatric department. If it is a children's hospital or a municipal maternal and child health hospital, then the child should be taken to the neonatology department. Neonatologists will actively treat the child's jaundice and, as a rule, pathological jaundice requires hospitalization.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Does neonatal jaundice require hospitalization?

Neonatal jaundice does not necessarily require hospitalization, because the characteristics of bilirubin metabolism in newborns can lead to physiological jaundice. This happens because newborns produce an excess of bilirubin and have inadequate plasma albumin to bind with bilirubin, coupled with relatively poor bilirubin-processing ability in liver cells and distinctive characteristics in their enterohepatic circulation. Consequently, physiological jaundice is common. Babies with physiological jaundice are generally in good condition without clinical symptoms. Typically, jaundice appears on the 2nd to 3rd day after birth; for full-term infants, it usually does not last more than two weeks, and for preterm infants, it generally does not exceed one month. Moreover, the daily increase in bilirubin is not high, and the total bilirubin is not extremely elevated. In such cases, continued observation is sufficient and hospitalization is not required. However, if it is non-physiological jaundice, or pathological jaundice, hospitalization might be needed. This is indicated by jaundice appearing within the first 24 hours after birth, extremely high total bilirubin levels, or very high levels of conjugated bilirubin. In such cases, it is advisable to visit a pediatric gastroenterology clinic or a neonatal clinic promptly to investigate the cause and possibly receive hospital treatment.