Neonatal jaundice is noted at how many days of life?

• A. 1-2 days
• B. 2-3 days
• C. 4-5 days
• D. 6-7 days

Answer: (B)

Neonatal physiologic jaundice commonly becomes visible after the first day of life, with onset most typically on the second to the third day. This timing reflects the newborn liver’s relatively immature ability to conjugate bilirubin and the increased bilirubin load from rapid red blood cell turnover after birth. Because of this, newborns often show yellowing of the skin and eyes around day 2–3, peak around days 3–5, and then gradually improve over the next week or two in term infants. If jaundice appears before 24 hours, lasts very long, or bilirubin levels rise very high, that would prompt closer evaluation for other causes.