Which statement best describes physiological jaundice in newborns?

Which statement best describes physiological jaundice in newborns?

• A. It occurs after 24 hours in many healthy babies and will resolve in a few days.
• B. Physiological jaundice was caused by bruising and cephalohematoma.
• C. Physiological jaundice occurs on the first day of life, and more tests will be needed.
• D. A blood exchange is required to treat physiological jaundice.

Answer: (A)

Physiologic jaundice is a normal, self-limited rise in bilirubin that happens because a newborn’s liver isn’t fully mature yet and red blood cell turnover is high after birth. The key detail is when it appears and how it resolves. In healthy term babies, jaundice typically shows up after 24 hours of age, peaks around day 2 or 3, and then gradually disappears within about a week or two. That pattern fits the description of “occurs after 24 hours in many healthy babies and will resolve in a few days,” making it the best descriptor. Other scenarios aren’t about the typical physiologic pattern. Jaundice that appears on the first day of life suggests a pathologic cause and needs evaluation. Bruising or cephalohematoma can lead to jaundice through increased breakdown of local blood, which is not physiologic jaundice. A blood exchange is a treatment for severe, dangerous levels of bilirubin—not the usual course for physiologic jaundice.

Physiologic jaundice is a normal, self-limited rise in bilirubin that happens because a newborn’s liver isn’t fully mature yet and red blood cell turnover is high after birth. The key detail is when it appears and how it resolves. In healthy term babies, jaundice typically shows up after 24 hours of age, peaks around day 2 or 3, and then gradually disappears within about a week or two. That pattern fits the description of “occurs after 24 hours in many healthy babies and will resolve in a few days,” making it the best descriptor.

Other scenarios aren’t about the typical physiologic pattern. Jaundice that appears on the first day of life suggests a pathologic cause and needs evaluation. Bruising or cephalohematoma can lead to jaundice through increased breakdown of local blood, which is not physiologic jaundice. A blood exchange is a treatment for severe, dangerous levels of bilirubin—not the usual course for physiologic jaundice.