Question
My child was born via cesarean section and had a normal jaundice index during the hospital stay. However, on the 7th day after discharge, the jaundice index increased to over 11. The doctor did not prescribe any medication as a preventive measure. We lived in a relatively dark environment until the 10th day after discharge when we noticed the child’s face had turned yellow. After testing at a nearby hospital, the jaundice index was 15.8. Based on this information, what is the normal neonatal jaundice index?
Answer
Neonatal jaundice typically appears 2-3 days after birth, reaches its peak between 4-5 days, and naturally subsides within 7-14 days, commonly referred to as “physiological jaundice.” Normally, a newborn’s jaundice index should not exceed 9 to be discharged. If it does, it may indicate pathological jaundice, which requires consideration for treatment. It is recommended to give the child more warm water to promote urination and to observe the child’s feeding and bowel movements. Additionally, staying relaxed and not over-worrying is also very important.