Question
Not long after birth, parents notice that their baby’s body and face have turned yellow, worrying it might be jaundice and undergo a check. What is the normal range for a newborn’s jaundice index?
Answer
The bilirubin levels in newborns increase with age. Within 24 hours after birth, the transcutaneous bilirubin in full-term infants should be less than 6; within 48 hours after birth, it should be less than 9; and after 72 hours or more, it should be less than 12.9. Typically, jaundice begins to subside within 5-7 days after birth and should completely disappear within two weeks. It is recommended to expose the newborn to sunlight more often and to have regular follow-ups. I hope this information is helpful to you.