Question
The baby seemed healthy at birth, with no signs of illness. However, the baby’s skin has been getting progressively yellowish. After visiting a local hospital for a check-up, the doctor told me it was jaundice. What should I do if my newborn baby has high jaundice?
Answer
If a newborn baby’s jaundice levels spike on the first day of life, it requires immediate treatment. If standard treatments, such as albumin therapy, prove ineffective, blood transfusion may be necessary to prevent bilirubin encephalopathy and ensure cognitive development. Newborns who exhibit jaundice within 24 hours are considered to have pathological jaundice, which could be due to conditions like hemolytic jaundice or infections. It is recommended to admit the baby to a regular hospital’s neonatal department for phototherapy to reduce jaundice and to identify the cause of the jaundice for targeted treatment.