Physiologic jaundice and pathologic jaundice can usually be determined by symptoms.
1. Physiological jaundice: Usually physiological jaundice will appear 2~3 days after birth, and it will be more serious when it is 4~5 days after birth. Physiologic jaundice is only a temporary phenomenon, which usually subsides in about 7~10 days for full-term babies, and may subside in about 2~4 weeks for preterm babies. Meanwhile, physiologic jaundice is usually mild, and patients do not have other abnormal symptoms and signs.
2. Pathological jaundice: Generally, pathological jaundice in newborns appears within 24 hours after birth and lasts for a longer period of time, lasting for more than 2 weeks in full-term infants and more than 4 weeks in preterm infants.
In some patients, jaundice may recur or direct bilirubin may increase after jaundice subsides. If the patient’s symptoms are more serious, there may also be drowsiness, refusal of breastfeeding, limb twitching, screaming and other symptoms.
Parents are advised to pay more attention to the state of their newborn babies and make reasonable judgment on physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice under the guidance of doctors.