Does Neonatal Jaundice Easily Recur After Blue Light Therapy?

Question

Is there a risk of recurrence if a newborn with severe jaundice has already undergone blue light therapy?

Answer

Neonatal jaundice can be categorized into pathological jaundice, physiological jaundice, and breastfeeding jaundice. Only pathological jaundice can lead to bilirubin encephalopathy, causing irreversible brain damage. Pathological jaundice requires blue light therapy and symptomatic medication treatment. Physiological jaundice and breastfeeding jaundice typically do not require medication. If neonatal jaundice is treated with blue light therapy, it usually does not recur. If blue light therapy is ineffective, blood transfusion treatment should be considered.