Question
My son was born yesterday, and the doctor said something about his jaundice being high. He needs to undergo additional treatments. I don’t know what causes this condition. I’ve been very careful with my diet and lifestyle during pregnancy. Please ask, what are the causes of high jaundice in newborns?
Answer
If a newborn has high jaundice, it is generally related to the newborn’s bilirubin metabolism. However, if the jaundice is particularly high within the first 24 hours after birth, we should be aware of the possibility of hemolytic diseases. If hemolytic disease is diagnosed, treatment should be based on the doctor’s advice. If there is no hemolytic disease, we only need to consider abnormal bilirubin metabolism. If bilirubin levels are high, blue light therapy can be used. If bilirubin levels are not very high, exposing the child’s skin to sunlight can help reduce jaundice.