Question
If a newborn develops jaundice within 72 hours of birth with a bilirubin level of 15.6, and blood tests show a low white cell count and a high red cell count, what do these results indicate?
Answer
Jaundice that appears within 72 hours after a newborn’s birth is often physiological jaundice. Neonatal jaundice occurs due to an increase in bilirubin levels in the newborn’s serum, leading to yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. The main cause of neonatal jaundice is an increase in bilirubin within the newborn’s body, but since the liver is not fully developed, its metabolic capacity is poor, leading to elevated bilirubin levels. Physiological jaundice usually does not require special treatment. A low white cell count and other elevated indicators in a blood test may be due to intrauterine asphyxia and dehydration during the birthing process, causing changes in blood test indicators. Generally, these changes are considered normal.