Question
My newborn is 11 days old and their bilirubin level has reached 11. I’ve heard that rubbing the baby’s arms and thighs with egg whites can reduce jaundice. Is this method effective and safe? What are effective ways to lower a newborn’s bilirubin level?
Answer
Neonatal jaundice can be categorized into physiological and pathological types. Physiological jaundice can be treated simply with no sequelae, while pathological jaundice requires timely treatment to prevent high bilirubin levels leading to bilirubin encephalopathy, which can affect neurological development. The main treatment for neonatal jaundice is phototherapy, a simple and effective method for lowering serum unconjugated bilirubin levels. As for the claim that rubbing the baby’s arms and thighs with egg whites can reduce jaundice, there is no scientific basis for this, and it is not recommended. During the treatment process, appropriate use of albumin and liver enzyme inducers can be considered.