Neonatal jaundice is divided into several types.

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on April 10, 2025
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Neonatal jaundice, also known as neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, occurs when bilirubin accumulates in the body, causing yellowing of the skin or other organs; it is the most common clinical issue during the neonatal period, with over 80% of normal newborns experiencing some skin yellowing shortly after birth. Neonatal jaundice is mainly divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice is a normal phenomenon. Pathological jaundice, however, includes conditions such as excessive production of bilirubin, metabolic disorders of bilirubin, bile excretion disorders, and various other factors causing pathological jaundice. Thus, pathological jaundice requires active treatment and will not subside on its own.

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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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Is a bilirubin level of 20 high for a newborn?

If a newborn's skin jaundice reaches a level of twenty, it is a warning sign that the jaundice is significantly elevated. It is advised to promptly go to the hospital for an examination. If the bilirubin levels in the blood are indeed that high, timely intervention and treatment are necessary. Normally, for physiological jaundice, the levels should not exceed fifteen after seventy-two hours in infants. Even during the peak period of four to five days, it should not surpass fifteen. If the jaundice noticeably increases within the first three days and exceeds twenty, the severity of the jaundice might be worse. The younger the newborn, especially with levels above twenty, the higher the risk of bilirubin entering the brain, potentially leading to bilirubin encephalopathy. Therefore, with jaundice reaching twenty, it is still recommended to promptly go to the hospital for intervention and treatment.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Can neonatal jaundice be effectively treated?

Neonatal jaundice refers to the development of jaundice involving the whole body's skin and mucous membranes in newborns. For physiological jaundice in newborns, it can heal naturally. For pathological jaundice in newborns, with active treatment, including phototherapy, etiological treatment, and when necessary, administration of medications such as albumin and globulin, the more severe cases may require blood exchange treatment. Through the aforementioned treatments, neonatal jaundice can be effectively managed, so parents need not worry. If you notice jaundice in your child, actively take them to the hospital to cooperate with the doctor's treatment. In most cases, a satisfactory treatment outcome can be achieved. Parents can be reassured in this regard. (Please follow the guidance of a specialist for specific medications and do not medicate on your own.)

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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How to test for neonatal jaundice?

Neonatal jaundice is relatively common during the newborn period, with about 80% of full-term babies showing visible yellowing of the skin. Typically, jaundice is measured using a jaundice meter, such devices are available in common community hospitals as well as in major hospitals like People's Hospital or maternity and children's health facilities, or other comprehensive hospitals. This is generally done through transcutaneous bilirubin measurement. If the transcutaneous bilirubin levels are high, it is necessary to determine the specific degree of jaundice, at which point a blood test to check liver function is required to assess the bilirubin levels more precisely.

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Written by Shi Ji Peng
Pediatrics
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Is a newborn jaundice level of 15.8 serious?

Neonatal jaundice of 15.8 is relatively high. Whether this is serious depends primarily on which day after birth the jaundice value of 15.8 appears. If it occurs within the first three days after birth, a jaundice value of 15.8 is considered serious. Furthermore, the earlier it appears, the more severe the child's condition is. For example, if the child shows a jaundice value of 15.8 at 48 hours old, it is less severe compared to it appearing within the first 24 hours after birth. Therefore, once jaundice is observed, it is important to investigate the possible causes, such as hemolytic disease, infection, infant hepatitis, or biliary atresia. Identifying the specific cause allows for targeted treatment of the condition, while also actively treating the jaundice in the child.