Regarding physiological neonatal jaundice, the following statements are TRUE:

• A. False: Physiological jaundice is unconjugated, not conjugated.
• B. False: Hepatic immaturity does contribute.
• C. False: Physiological jaundice resolves by ~1 week, not >4 weeks.
• D. False: Pale stools and conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia indicate cholestasis (e.g. biliary atresia); physiological jaundice is unconjugated with normal stool colour.
• E. True

Physiological jaundice

Physiological jaundice is common and benign.

Key facts

• Does not appear before 24 hours; peaks 48-72 hours.
• Due to unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia.
• Contributed to by hepatic immaturity, increased red cell breakdown and increased enterohepatic circulation.
• Resolves by about one week.

The error

• Pale stools and conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia indicate cholestasis (e.g. biliary atresia), not physiological jaundice.

Statement-by-statement verdict

Why A is false

Physiological jaundice is due to UNCONJUGATED hyperbilirubinaemia.

Why B is false

Hepatic immaturity (delayed conjugation) DOES contribute to physiological jaundice.

Why C is false

Physiological jaundice typically RESOLVES by about one week, not persisting beyond four weeks.

Why D is false

Pale stools/conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia indicate cholestasis, not physiological jaundice.

Why E is true

It does not appear before 24 hours.