Which department should a newborn with jaundice go to?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on December 14, 2024
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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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Causes of recurrent neonatal jaundice

Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms during the newborn period, especially in early newborns. It can be a symptom that appears in the normal development process, or it may be a manifestation of certain diseases. Generally, neonatal jaundice is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Typically, physiological jaundice gradually increases to a certain level and then subsides, and does not recur. If the jaundice recurs, or if it significantly increases after decreasing, or reappears after subsiding, it is definitely pathological jaundice. Pathological jaundice has many possible causes, commonly including infections, hemolysis, or other genetic metabolic diseases, or some red blood cell disorders, all of which can affect the recurrence of jaundice. Therefore, if the jaundice recurs, it is advisable to visit a hospital. A neonatologist will conduct relevant examinations based on the baby's condition to confirm if it is pathological jaundice. The cause should be clearly identified for targeted treatment, followed by symptomatic treatment, and timely intervention is necessary.

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Will newborn jaundice cause the ears to turn yellow?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in neonates, especially in early newborns. It can be a symptom of normal development in newborns, or it can be a manifestation of certain diseases. Jaundice is generally divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice, with the main symptom being the yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes. Typically, jaundice starts from the face and then spreads to the trunk and limbs. If the degree of jaundice is relatively severe, yellowing will appear on the entire body, including the ears. Generally, if the baby is visibly yellow, it is advisable to monitor the jaundice. If the jaundice value is significantly high and confirmed to be high in the blood, it is considered pathological jaundice, and it is recommended to seek timely intervention and treatment.

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Does neonatal jaundice need medication?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in newborns, especially in early newborns. It is a symptom that occurs in the normal development process of newborns, but it may also be a manifestation of certain diseases. Therefore, neonatal jaundice can be a normal phenomenon, but sometimes it may be pathological. Generally, physiological jaundice, which is the normal condition, does not require intervention. Once the jaundice reaches a certain level, it will gradually subside, and the baby generally remains in good condition. At home, it is only necessary to regularly monitor the jaundice without too much worry. If the jaundice appears early and progresses quickly, it may be appropriate to take some medication to reduce the bilirubin. If the jaundice continues to rise, or the baby has other discomforts, it is then necessary to go to the hospital promptly where a neonatologist will conduct relevant examinations and intervene with timely treatment if necessary.

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What does a newborn jaundice blood test check for?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms during the neonatal period. It may indicate both normal developmental processes and certain diseases. If it is normal physiological jaundice, there is no need for blood tests. However, if pathological jaundice is suspected, blood tests are generally required. The most common test is a liver function test to determine the level of bilirubin in the blood. Additional tests might be conducted, especially if there is an incompatibility in the blood type between the mother and child. In such cases, tests for the baby's blood type and hemolysis are necessary, along with tests for common infection markers. If the mother had other abnormalities before pregnancy, further blood tests might be warranted based on potential conditions that the baby might exhibit.

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Do newborns with jaundice feel uncomfortable?

Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common symptoms during the newborn period. It can be a normal physiological phenomenon occurring in the baby's development process, or it may indicate some diseases. Neonatal jaundice is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Generally, the degree of jaundice in physiological jaundice is not very high, and the general condition is still okay. The baby does not show any special discomfort. However, if it is pathological jaundice, the jaundice usually lasts longer and progresses faster with a more severe degree. There might be other discomforts, such as obvious crying and restlessness, possibly even fever, and other symptoms like sleepiness or refusal to feed. Therefore, if the jaundice is slightly high, the general condition is still manageable, and parents should not worry too much. However, if there are obvious discomforts, it is recommended to visit the hospital promptly because if a newborn baby gets sick and is not treated in time, the condition can progress quickly.