Question
Hello, my baby is 9 days old and the jaundice index has reached 14. I would like to ask how to handle severe neonatal jaundice that is not hemolytic.
Answer
When the baby’s jaundice index reaches 14 at 9 days old, it should be considered for phototherapy treatment, also known as blue light therapy. Blue light therapy can accelerate the metabolism of bilirubin and generally does not harm brain cells. High levels of jaundice may lead to bilirubin encephalopathy, and in severe cases, even have sequelae such as seizures. In addition to phototherapy treatment, the baby needs to maintain a cheerful mood and have a reasonable diet during treatment to avoid unnecessary effects on the recovery of jaundice.