A mother called the maternity ward four days after the birth of her baby girl. She tells the nurse that she has noticed her infant's skin tone is yellow and asks if she should bring the infant to the hospital. What is the most likely cause of the infant's skin tone?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most likely cause of the infant's yellow skin tone is physiologic jaundice, which is a common and normal occurrence in newborns due to the breakdown of fetal red blood cells and the liver's immaturity in processing bilirubin. It usually resolves on its own within a few weeks. However, if the infant shows signs of severe jaundice or has other complications such as fever, poor feeding, or lethargy, further evaluation and treatment may be necessary.

A Mother Called the Maternity Ward Four Days After the Birth