Question
The newborn developed a bilirubin level of 19.1 on the 10th day after birth, and the doctor recommended blue light therapy. The parents, reluctant to leave the baby alone in the hospital, chose to take the baby home and administer jaundice medication. After sunbathing on the 7th day, the bilirubin level dropped below 13. How should one handle a situation where a newborn’s bilirubin level is too high?
Answer
When a newborn presents with jaundice, the primary task is to determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment recommendations. If jaundice appears within 24 hours of birth, consider possibilities such as hemolytic disease, increased direct bilirubin, viral infection, or liver and gallbladder diseases. Additionally, familial jaundice should be taken into account. If breastfeeding jaundice is suspected, further examination and treatment are needed if the bilirubin level significantly decreases after stopping breastfeeding for 3 days but then rises again. In terms of home care, medication treatment can be considered.