Question
When newborns develop jaundice, family members find it difficult to understand the blood test results. How should newborn jaundice values be interpreted?
Answer
Firstly, jaundice can be categorized into physiological and pathological types. Pathological jaundice usually appears earlier and is more severe, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as drowsiness, difficulty waking up, and refusal to eat. Diagnosis relies on blood tests or transcutaneous bilirubin measurement. Treatment for pathological jaundice includes oral jaundice-reducing medications and blue light therapy, and regular monitoring of bilirubin levels is necessary to prevent the occurrence of bilirubin encephalopathy. Families should actively cooperate with the hospital doctors’ treatment recommendations.