Question
When a newborn develops jaundice, what acupuncture techniques can be adopted? How do hospitals assess the condition based on the jaundice index?
Answer
When a newborn’s jaundice index reaches 11, it indicates a mild elevation. At this point, it is necessary to go to the hospital for a blood test to determine the bilirubin level. If necessary, the doctor may recommend blue light therapy treatment and oral administration of silymarin granules to reduce jaundice. The blood test checks the bilirubin index, while the skin measurement is the jaundice index. Acupuncture is effective in treating mild infantile jaundice, but for moderate to severe cases, a professional doctor should formulate a treatment plan because many cases of jaundice are caused by diseases, and acupuncture alone cannot cure it.