Will the skin become very dark after neonatal jaundice?
Disease description:
I am a new mother, and my baby developed jaundice a few days after birth. The baby's skin appears somewhat yellowish. I am very concerned whether this will affect my baby's future skin tone, causing the skin to become darker. I would like to ask, will the skin of a baby with neonatal jaundice become very dark afterward?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Neonatal jaundice does not cause darkening of the skin later on. Neonatal jaundice occurs due to an immature bilirubin metabolism, leading to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood, which results in yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. This type of jaundice is usually temporary, and as the baby's liver function matures, bilirubin will gradually be metabolized and excreted from the body, allowing the skin color to return to normal. Jaundice is not directly related to skin pigmentation and therefore will not affect the baby's future skin tone.
If a baby develops jaundice, parents should closely monitor the condition and take the following measures. First, ensure the baby is adequately breastfed to promote bilirubin excretion. Second, observe the severity and duration of the jaundice carefully; if the jaundice is severe or persists for a prolonged period, seek medical attention promptly for professional evaluation and treatment by a physician. The doctor may recommend treatments such as phototherapy to help lower bilirubin levels. Additionally, keep the baby's skin clean and avoid using irritating skincare products. Neonatal jaundice is a common condition, and with proper care and timely medical intervention, the baby's skin will recover its health and will not affect future skin color.
