<s>[INST] Symptoms of jaundice [/INST] The first sign of jaundice is the yellowing of a baby’s skin and eyes, which may start in the face before spreading across the body. With physiological jaundice, the yellowing may begin and peak within 2 to 5 days after birth. With other causes, it may begin closer to birth.

However, this yellowing can be harder to see in darker skin tones. Another way to tell is by pressing your finger lightly on the baby’s skin. The spot should briefly appear paler. If it looks more yellow, it’s likely a sign of jaundice.If you have concerns or are unsure, contact your baby’s doctor, particularly if the whites of their eyes look yellow.

If untreated, severe newborn jaundiced can lead to acute bilirubin encephalopathy, which is caused by the toxic levels of bilirubin in the brain.

A baby may get a fever, act listless and lethargic, have a shrill cry, refuse to feed, and curve their neck and body backward. This can, in turn, progress to kernicterus, which is permanent brain damage.

In the United States, many hospitals discharge birthing parents and newborns after 24-48 hours before jaundice may become very apparent. If the baby has not developed jaundice within 72 hours of delivery, they’re less likely to have the pathological form. But they can still develop the physiological form, leading to complications.

Once you’re home, contact your doctor if you notice the following symptoms:

Jaundice spreads or becomes more intense.
Your baby develops a fever over 100°F (38°C).
Your baby’s yellow coloring deepens.
Your baby feeds poorly, appears listless or lethargic, and makes high-pitched cries. Source: Health Line. Link: https://www.healthline.com/health/newborn-jaundice#outlook. Field: Hepatology . Disease: Jaundice </s>