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Neonatal jaundice timing and work-up

HIGH-YIELD Appears 9×
Teaching point — how the wording changes the answer

Jaundice <24 h of life is always pathological (haemolysis, ABO/Rh). In a well-feeding baby with visible jaundice (e.g. day 3) the next step is to quantify bilirubin (TSB/transcutaneous) regardless of appearance, not blanket reassurance.

Q8 3-day-old jaundiced but feeding well, next step.
Key clue Quantify before reassuring
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Check serum bilirubin
Q47 Day 3 neonate yellow and irritable.
Key clue Irritable/feeding
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Check bilirubin
Q87 Jaundice within first 6 h of life, most likely cause.
Key clue <24h = pathological
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Haemolytic anaemia
Q93 Cause of jaundice within 6 h of life.
Key clue Early onset
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Haemolytic anaemia
Q100 Neonatal jaundice with normal vitals.
Key clue Visible jaundice
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Check TSB
Q104 3-day jaundice, baby well, normal vitals.
Key clue Well baby still needs level
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Check bilirubin
Q116 3-day jaundice, vitals normal, investigation.
Key clue Confirm range
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Check bilirubin
Q125 3-day jaundice, advice.
Key clue Quantify
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Check bilirubin
Q126 Jaundice on 3rd day, advice.
Key clue Quantify
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Check bilirubin