Question
My child was born five days ago and has had jaundice ever since. My wife and I are first-time parents and have no experience. We checked and the level is 17 points. Is this within the normal range? Do we need any special treatment?
Answer
Newborn jaundice refers to the condition where, during the neonatal period, an abnormal metabolism of bilirubin leads to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood, resulting in yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. With a current jaundice index of 17mg/dl, considering the possibility of pathological jaundice, it is recommended to provide blue light therapy to help reduce the jaundice and to expose the baby to sunlight more frequently. Typically, this will naturally resolve within one to two weeks.