Question
My baby is 22 days old, and I went to the hospital today for a neonatal transcutaneous bilirubin test: forehead 203, anterior chest 190. Is this serious? Do I need to be hospitalized?
Answer
Jaundice is a symptom caused by some kind of disease. Neonatal pathological jaundice is commonly seen in conditions such as hemolytic disease, infection, and preterm birth. 15 is the critical value between physiological and pathological jaundice, so don’t worry too much. It’s not serious! Although the bilirubin index of 15 is on the higher side, it is still within a relatively safe range. Don’t worry; it’s not severe. After undergoing blue light therapy, it will recover quickly. It’s also relatively safe in the neonatal department. Generally, after about three days of treatment, you can be discharged and return to your baby’s embrace.