Question
The family was overjoyed when the baby was born. After returning home from the hospital, on the tenth day, Grandmother noticed that the baby seemed a bit off and took the baby to the hospital for a check-up, where the jaundice level was measured at 14.2. I want to ask, is the baby’s jaundice level of 14.2 high?
Answer
If a newborn’s jaundice level exceeds 7, it indicates high jaundice, which could be physiological jaundice. It is recommended to expose the baby to sunlight, as physiological jaundice will naturally fade away. If the jaundice level continues to decrease, this is a good sign. However, if it keeps rising continuously, it may require intensified treatment, such as combined with blue light therapy or other treatment methods. The primary goal of treating this condition is to prevent bilirubin encephalopathy.