Question
The newborn has been in good health since birth, but recently, yellowing of the eyes has been observed, and the bilirubin level tested is 9.5. Is a bilirubin level of 9.5 too high for a newborn? Is further treatment needed?
Answer
For a newborn’s bilirubin level, 9.5 mg/dL falls within the normal range, and parents should not be overly concerned. Newborns often reach a bilirubin level of 19.5 mg/dL by the 7th day after birth, which is considered high and may indicate pathological jaundice. After 3 days of treatment, the bilirubin level drops to 9.5 mg/dL and returns to normal. However, continuous monitoring of the newborn’s jaundice situation is still necessary, and if there is no further increase, consideration can be given to discharge. Generally, newborn jaundice usually appears within the first 2 to 5 days after birth, and the jaundice in full-term infants typically resolves within 14 days.