How long does it take for jaundice in premature infants to subside
Release time : 06/08/2025 09:30:01
How long can it take for premature infants to recover from jaundice? How many days will the jaundice of premature infants disappear? There is a certain limit to jaundice, and its color will not turn golden.
Chronic jaundice is mainly distributed in the face and trunk, while the lower extremities, forearms, hands, and soles are often not significantly jaundiced.
If blood tests are performed for bilirubin, full-term infants do not exceed 12 mg/dL during the peak of jaundice, and premature infants do not exceed 15 mg/dL.
Generally speaking, if a premature infant only has physiological jaundice, it normally subsides within 7-10 days under normal circumstances. However, the specific situation depends on various factors such as the baby's constitution. If a premature infant presents with pathological jaundice, treatment is required for its resolution. Parents should recognize whether their baby is suffering from which type of jaundice and then observe and carefully care for the child based on the situation.
How long does neonatal jaundice in preterm infants typically resolve? Typically, full-term infants develop jaundice within 24 hours of birth, while preterm infants do so within 48 hours.
So, when premature infants develop jaundice, how long does it take to resolve? This also depends on what type of jaundice the baby has-it can be pathological, maternal, or physiological. Pathological jaundice occurs quickly and should be closely monitored for any signs during the first 24 hours after birth; whereas physiological jaundice typically resolves within about three weeks.
Physiological jaundice in preterm infants typically appears within 2 to 3 days of birth and reaches its peak between the 4th and 6th day. In full-term infants, it usually resolves within 7 to 10 days after birth, whereas preterm infants may delay this resolution until the third or fourth week postnatally.
Chronic jaundice first appears on the face and neck, then spreads to the trunk and limbs. Generally, it is slightly yellowish in color with a mild yellowing of the sclera. However, the palms and soles remain untainted.
In addition to jaundice, the child's overall health is good, with no other clinical symptoms present and normal color in both urine and feces.
When the indicators of parents' babies are normal, they can take a decolorizing drug. In addition, other factors that cause jaundice to not subside such as weak constitution, low immunity and infection, indigestion and so on should be excluded.
What should I do if my premature infant's jaundice does not subside? Many babies experience jaundice at birth, which is actually quite normal for parents to be concerned about. If it's not a pathological case of jaundice, it will soon fade away.
Parents just need to do their part in caring for the child.
So what if a premature infant's jaundice persists? If the jaundice of a premature infant persists, parents should be vigilant and pay attention to carefully observing the baby.
Generally, neonatal jaundice appears 2-3 days after birth, is most severe in 5-7 days, and resolves in 10-14 days. If it is premature, it can be prolonged to 3-4 weeks. However, the baby's general condition is good and his appetite is normal. It is recommended that the mother observe it for a few days. If she does not withdraw, she may go to the hospital to check serum bilirubin. She usually gives the baby more sugar water and sunbathe more.
Premature jaundice does not resolve, mothers need to take appropriate measures according to the degree of jaundice in their babies.
For mild jaundice, it is advisable to increase feeding and promote the excretion of bilirubin.
You can also bask in the sun more (just use glass indoors to expose your skin as much as possible and cover your genitals and eyes. As long as it is not cold or hot, the longer the cumulative exposure, the better).
If the degree is severe, you can also take anti-yellow drugs.
If it is severe, hospitalization for phototherapy is required.
For specific levels, you need to go to the hospital to measure the jaundice value, follow the doctor's advice, and take corresponding treatment.
How to judge jaundice in premature infants There are generally two types of jaundice: physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice.
Physiological jaundice means that premature infants, except for jaundice, behave normally in all other aspects, such as feeding, sleeping, crying, defecation, body temperature, etc.
Pathological jaundice refers to premature infants, whose mental state is obviously not particularly good, and sometimes their eyes stare in one direction, scream or twitch.
So, how do parents judge jaundice in premature infants? What should be used to judge the problem of jaundice in premature infants? Generally, jaundice appears early, occurring within 24 hours of birth, while premature infants appear within 48 hours.
The jaundice is long-lasting, and the jaundice still persists 2-3 weeks after birth, even deepens, or deepens again after alleviating.
The degree of jaundice is severe, with golden yellow color or jaundice spreading throughout the body. There is also obvious jaundice in the palms and soles of the feet or serum bilirubin is greater than 12-15 mg/liter.
Symptoms of jaundice are caused by anemia or pale stool color, or symptoms such as abnormal body temperature, poor appetite, and vomiting.
Normal value of jaundice in premature infants In fact, most newborn babies will get jaundice. Almost more than 50% of full-term infants and more than 80% of premature infants. Their skin begins to turn yellow 24 hours after birth.
Neonatal jaundice is mainly caused by the deposition of bilirubin on the skin surface, causing the skin and sclera to turn yellow.
What is the normal value for jaundice in premature infants? In fact, the normal value of jaundice in premature infants is different from that in full-term babies.
Generally, the normal value for full-term neonatal jaundice is 12.9 mg/100 ml, which means that the bilirubin level in 100 ml of blood is less than 12.9 mg.
However, the normal value for jaundice in premature infants is 15 mg/100 ml of blood, which means that the bilirubin level in 100 ml of blood is less than 15 mg.
When the baby's jaundice value exceeds 12.9mg/dl or the neonatal jaundice index rises too rapidly (rising more than 5mh/dl per day), or the jaundice lasts longer than full-term infants and resolves within 14 days, premature infants resolves within 4 weeks, or the jaundice recedes.
It means that the newborn is unhealthy with jaundice and may have pathological jaundice.
What should I do if premature infants have high jaundice? High jaundice in premature infants means that the serum bilirubin level in premature infants exceeds normal levels.
Usually, hospitals will test premature infants for bilirubin levels (some hospitals will test the baby after birth, and some will conduct a re-examination within 3-5 days after birth).
The serum bilirubin value in full-term infants does not exceed 12.9mg/dL, and the serum bilirubin value in premature infants does not exceed 15mg/dL, which is within the normal range.
If this range is exceeded, it is considered to be a premature infant with high jaundice.
What should be done about hyperbilirubinemia in premature infants? Here are a few suggestions: 1. Drinking plain water.
Every morning and evening, it is mandatory to feed children 30 milliliters of plain water. During the day, they should also consume adequate amounts of water to facilitate the expulsion of any jaundice from their bodies.
If breastfeeding is the case, it's fine. But if formula milk is used, you should add water.
2. Drink glucose.
When it is found that a newborn has a high jaundice index, give the child some glucose water, add glucose to the water, and feed it to the child. This is an effective way to eliminate jaundice.
3. Bake in the sun.
Every morning at around ten o'clock, when the sun is not very strong, give your child the sun. Try to get as much sun on the child's skin as possible, but don't get to the eyes.
Parents should also pay special attention to the following: if the baby's jaundice persists for a long time and the bilirubin index is very high, it may be pathological, and it is recommended that the baby be treated in a hospital.
The medical content mentioned in this text is for reference only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.
Should you experience discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Consultation for diagnosis and treatment should be based on the professional advice from a face-to-face medical practitioner.