Question
A baby with jaundice symptoms appearing two days after birth was treated with three days of intravenous therapy and the blood test results were normal. However, the symptoms recurred after the treatment. The baby has no history of hereditary diseases. How should neonatal jaundice be treated for a one-month-old baby?
Answer
Jaundice that appears within 24 hours after birth and worsens rapidly (increasing by more than 85 and 5 micromoles/liter per day) or has a high total bilirubin level (greater than 221 micromoles/liter), or recurs after jaundice subsides, or lasts for an extended period (over two weeks for full-term infants, over four weeks for preterm infants), requires special attention. If the blood test shows normal bilirubin levels, immediate treatment may not be necessary, but close observation is recommended. If the baby’s limbs show jaundice, it is suggested to take Phyllanthus emblica orally along with probiotics, while undergoing blue light therapy.