Question
A newborn girl had her bilirubin index rise from 240 on the third day to 287 over the following three days after birth. What does this level of jaundice index indicate?
Answer
A bilirubin index of 287 in newborns is considered high. Phototherapy is an effective method to reduce serum unconjugated bilirubin. During treatment, the baby is placed in a phototherapy box, with eyes protected by black eye masks to avoid retinal damage. The perineum and anus are covered with diapers, while the rest of the body is exposed. Single or double-sided light Irradiation is used, lasting from 2 to 48 hours (usually not more than 4 days), until the bilirubin level drops below 7 mg/dL, at which point treatment can be stopped.