Question
The doctor said the baby had jaundice on the second day after birth and asked me to have the baby’s bilirubin levels checked through a blood test. I just had my blood drawn, but I forgot to ask how long it would take to get the results. How long does it usually take for a newborn jaundice test to come back?
Answer
The blood test for newborn jaundice usually comes back quickly, but it also depends on the situation at the hospital. If there are a lot of people being tested, you might have to wait for the results. If there aren’t many people, it might be ready soon, possibly even on the same day. Don’t worry too much; jaundice is usually not pathologic and can be resolved with good treatment plans from the doctor. It’s recommended to give the baby adequate water and expose them to sunlight to help with jaundice.