Question
The newborn has high bilirubin levels, and the doctor diagnosed it as hyperbilirubinemia. How does this condition occur?
Answer
Newborn jaundice is categorized into physiological and pathological types. Physiological jaundice usually appears 2-3 days after birth, reaches its peak between 4-6 days, and naturally subsides between 7-10 days. Premature infants may have it for a longer duration and without other clinical symptoms. If jaundice appears within 24 hours after birth, or does not fade within 2-3 weeks, or even deepens or recurs, or only appears within a few weeks after birth, it is considered pathological jaundice. Treatment methods for newborn jaundice include blue light therapy and the use of enzyme inducers such as phenobarbital, at a dosage of 5-6 mg/kg/day. Phototherapy can promote natural healing, and increasing glucose water intake can help accelerate the fading of jaundice. Generally, no special treatment is required; it is recommended to closely monitor the newborn.