Infant jaundice should be resolved in different ways according to the specific classification. Physiological jaundice can subside on its own and generally does not require special treatment. Pathological jaundice needs light therapy or blood exchange therapy.
1. Physiological jaundice: jaundice appears 2~3 days after birth of full-term babies, peaks in 4~5 days, subsides in 5~7 days, and does not exceed 2 weeks at the latest; jaundice of preterm babies appears 3~5 days after birth, peaks in 5~7 days, subsides in 7~9 days, and can be delayed up to 3~4 weeks. Generally, no special treatment is needed.
2. Pathological jaundice: Jaundice usually appears within 24 hours after birth. Jaundice increases sharply. Phototherapy is needed after jaundice reaches the standard of phototherapy. Some children have more severe progression and need to be treated with immunoglobulin, albumin and other blood products. Blood exchange therapy is needed if necessary.
There are other causes of jaundice in infants, such as biliary obstruction, which require medical attention as soon as possible to identify the cause and treat it accordingly.