Sinem ÖZDEMİR, Zuhal Aydan SAĞLAM, Serdar CÖMERT, Nursu KARA, Yalçın HACIOĞLU, Didem ARMAN
Cam and Sakura Medical Journal - 2026;6(2):52-58
Objective: Prolonged jaundice is a common reason for neonatal outpatient visits and is usually benign; however, it may occasionally indicate underlying pathological, treatable conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the etiological and clinical characteristics of term newborns presenting with prolonged jaundice. Material and Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, 150 term newborns diagnosed with prolonged jaundice were included between March 2022 and September 2022. Demographic and clinical data were recorded, and laboratory results were evaluated to determine potential underlying causes. All data were analyzed statistically. Results: Among 150 newborns, 54.7% (n=82) were male. The mean gestational age and birth weight were 38.7+/-1.2 weeks and 3229+/-396 g, respectively. Late-onset breast milk jaundice was the most common etiology (57.3%), followed by urinary tract infection (22.7%), ABO/Rh incompatibility (14%), sepsis (3.3%), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (2%), and congenital hypothyroidism (0.7%). While 46% of the infants presented with jaundice, additional symptoms such as poor feeding (33%), vomiting (11%), and restlessness (5%) were observed in the remainder of the cohort. Conclusion: Late-onset breast milk jaundice is the leading cause of prolonged jaundice in term newborns. Nevertheless, a systematic clinical and laboratory evaluation is warranted in all infants with prolonged jaundice to exclude underlying pathological conditions, even in the absence of additional symptoms. Breastfeeding should be continued during evaluation and follow-up, considering the unique and well-established benefits of breast milk.
