Practice questions › Paediatrics
Jaundice in the first 24 hours of life
Paediatrics · exam-style practice question with explanation
A baby becomes visibly jaundiced 12 hours after birth. How should this be regarded?
- A. Normal physiological jaundice
- B. Breast-milk jaundice
- C. Pathological until proven otherwise
- D. Only a concern if the baby feeds poorly
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C. Pathological until proven otherwise
Jaundice in the first 24 hours of life is always pathological until proven otherwise, most often haemolysis (for example ABO or Rhesus incompatibility) or infection. Measure the bilirubin urgently. Physiological jaundice appears after 24 hours.
Key point: Jaundice under 24 hours old: always investigate urgently.
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