Is it normal for newborns to not have jaundice?

Newborns are prone to jaundice after birth, which is mainly divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Of course, some newborns do not have jaundice, which is also a relatively normal phenomenon. There are many causes of neonatal jaundice, and it may also be related to breastfeeding. At this time, timely examination should be carried out, and breastfeeding should be temporarily prohibited during this period. Let’s take a look at this aspect.

Is it normal for newborns to not have jaundice?

It is normal for newborns not to have jaundice. If a newborn has biliary atresia, the baby will be very yellow and have a big belly. Jaundice will not recur after one month. Biliary atresia is a minor cause of jaundice. For newborns, the main causes are physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Generally, physiological jaundice appears late, has mild symptoms, and does not require treatment. Pathological jaundice appears early, even within 24 hours of birth, and the symptoms are generally severe and require treatment.

Medically, jaundice that occurs in babies under one month old (within 28 days of birth) is called neonatal jaundice. The main symptoms are yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. The child will have a loss of appetite, become restless, and his body temperature may also rise. Neonatal jaundice is a very common disease among newborns. Clinically, 60% of full-term babies will develop jaundice within one week after birth, and 80% of premature babies will develop jaundice within 24 hours after birth.

The normal value of neonatal jaundice is based on serum bilirubin as a reference indicator. It is normal as long as it does not exceed 204μmol/L (12mg/dl) for full-term infants and 255μmol/L (15mg/dl) for premature infants. In addition, children with physiological jaundice do not experience much impact on their appetite and spirit except for yellowing of the skin, and the symptoms will generally disappear automatically within a month. Children with pathological jaundice not only have skin changes, but also usually cry, make a fuss, and refuse to drink milk. In this case, parents must take their children to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible, otherwise it may cause kernicterus, which has very serious consequences.

Symptoms of neonatal jaundice

Symptoms of neonatal jaundice:

Neonatal jaundice can be divided into two types: physiological and pathological. The symptoms of neonatal jaundice vary depending on the type.

1. Symptoms of physiological neonatal jaundice are: yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes and oral mucosa of the newborn on the 2nd to 3rd day after birth, which may be mild or severe. It is usually more obvious on the face and chest, but the palms and soles of the feet are not yellow. It is most obvious on the 4th to 6th day, disappears on the 10th to 14th day after birth in full-term infants, and may last until the 3rd week in premature infants. During this period, the child was in general good condition and showed no other discomfort. It is normal for newborns to have physiological jaundice, but parents should also pay close attention. Generally speaking, physiological jaundice is relatively mild, the bilirubin concentration in the blood is low, and it will not affect children's intelligence.

2. Symptoms of pathological jaundice are as follows: jaundice may occur in children within 24 hours after birth, or it may persist, or jaundice may reappear after it subsides, or jaundice may progressively worsen. Pathological neonatal jaundice can also cause manifestations of other diseases, such as kernicterus. When it occurs, the child's jaundice becomes significantly worse, and begins to show symptoms of drowsiness, weakness or choking when sucking milk, and decreased muscle tone. If not treated promptly, serious symptoms such as groaning, screaming, convulsions, and respiratory failure may follow. Some children die from respiratory failure, and those who survive often have sequelae such as intellectual disabilities and cerebral palsy.