Question
Is a jaundice index of ten normal for newborns? When I was in the hospital, I argued with the nurse manager while getting an IV and dispensing medication. Would they tamper with the medication? Are those drugs likely to have an effect on the infant?
Answer
The normal range for newborn jaundice is based on serum bilirubin levels. As long as full-term infants do not exceed 204μmol/L (12mg/dl) and premature infants do not exceed 255μmol/L (15mg/dl), they are considered normal. Additionally, children with physiological jaundice, besides having yellowish skin, usually do not have much impact on appetite and spirits and the symptoms can be resolved within a month. Children with pathological jaundice, however, not only change the skin color but also may cry, cause trouble, and refuse milk. In such cases, parents must take their child to the hospital for treatment promptly. Otherwise, it may lead to kernicterus, which has very serious consequences.