How long does it take for physiological jaundice in newborns to subside?

Babies are prone to symptoms of jaundice right after birth. Jaundice is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. If it is physiological jaundice, it will generally disappear gradually after a few days. As a parent, you don’t need to be too anxious. Just strengthen care at ordinary times. However, if it is pathological jaundice, you must go to the hospital for examination in time to avoid harm to the child’s health.

1. Excessive production of bilirubin:

Due to excessive destruction of red blood cells and increased enterohepatic circulation, serum unconjugated bilirubin increases. Common causes include: polycythemia, extravascular hemolysis, alloimmune hemolysis, infection, increased enterohepatic circulation, erythrocyte enzyme deficiency, abnormal erythrocyte morphology, and hemoglobinopathy.

2. Hepatic bilirubin metabolism disorder:

Due to the low function of liver cells to absorb and bind bilirubin, the serum unconjugated bilirubin increases. Common causes include: hypoxia and infection, Crigler-Najjar syndrome, Gilbert syndrome, Lucey-Driscoll syndrome, and drugs (such as sulfonamides, salicylates, indomethacin, and scutellariae).

3. Bile excretion disorder:

Impairment in the excretion of conjugated bilirubin by hepatocytes or obstruction of the bile duct can lead to hyperconjugated bilirubinemia, but if accompanied by impaired hepatocyte function, unconjugated bilirubin may also increase. Common causes include: neonatal hepatitis, inborn errors of metabolism, Dubin-Johnson syndrome, and bile duct obstruction.