Question
What are the causes of neonatal jaundice? What should be done if the neonate’s bilirubin level exceeds 10 within a day after birth?
Answer
The causes of neonatal jaundice are varied, with the most common being hemolytic jaundice. If hemolytic jaundice is ruled out, then infection-induced jaundice needs to be considered. For jaundice primarily caused by indirect bilirubin, blue light therapy is usually employed. If the bilirubin level continues to rise, it may lead to bilirubin encephalopathy, which can affect the child’s intellectual development. Therefore, for neonatal jaundice, it is important to identify the cause promptly and provide appropriate treatment to avoid potential health risks.