Question
Her child was born almost a month ago, but the jaundice has not completely subsided yet. The face still looks yellow. The baby has been tested for jaundice at a local hospital or institution, and the current jaundice level is 17. Generally, how long does it take for the jaundice to subside, especially if the baby is only five days old and the jaundice level is 17?
Answer
This is a relatively high level of jaundice, and it is best to check the cause of the disease in the hospital and use blue light therapy. In the absence of disease, full-term newborns usually have jaundice that lasts more than 14 days. After treatment, bilirubin should drop below 95%, and it is recommended to continue taking medication until bilirubin levels are controlled below 40% and regular follow-up observations are made. By monitoring the rise in bilirubin through blood tests, one can determine the progression of the disease. Generally speaking, there may be some improvement in about a week. If the jaundice level is too high, consider using phototherapy.