Question
Is high infant jaundice harmful? The baby’s bilirubin level is 220 units, and the baby is 33 days old. The doctor has prescribed both traditional Chinese and Western medicine, but there has been no improvement. I am quite worried, so I would like to ask what are the consequences of severe neonatal jaundice?
Answer
Infant jaundice is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice is a normal condition, but severe pathological jaundice can lead to complications such as bilirubin encephalopathy, commonly known as “icterus,” which can cause nervous system damage and severe sequelae such as intellectual disability. If a baby shows jaundice, it should be taken seriously. Most physiological jaundice in newborns appears within 2 to 3 days after birth. For infants with severe infections, early and aggressive treatment is essential to avoid adverse consequences.