Question
My baby was hospitalized for jaundice three days after birth. The doctor had him undergo blue light therapy. After three days, he stabilized and was discharged. However, I noticed that he looked very yellow the day after discharge. Is it a relapse? Can blue light therapy be repeated?
Answer
In China, the most common treatment for jaundice is blue light therapy. Newborns are placed in phototherapy boxes, with their eyes protected by black eye masks to prevent retinal damage. The perineum and anus are covered with diapers, while the rest of the body is exposed. Blue light therapy can be administered continuously or intermittently for 2 to 48 hours, generally not exceeding four days. Treatment can be unilateral or bilateral until bilirubin levels drop below 7mg/ml, at which point the therapy can be stopped. If jaundice recurs, treatment can be continued.