Question
Why does a newborn’s jaundice index reach 20 times the normal value? How should parents respond?
Answer
Severe jaundice in newborns, with indices far exceeding the normal range, may be caused by hemolytic diseases or breastfeeding factors. Such cases require professional phototherapy in a hospital, supplemented by oral medications. Most infants can fully recover after 3 to 5 weeks of treatment, but some cases may require a longer period. Parents should maintain patience, persist with treatment, and have faith that their child will ultimately regain health.