Question
A newborn has been diagnosed with bilirubin encephalopathy, with their bilirubin level dropping from 210 to 170, and skin tests showing a result of 7. The baby is one month old and has been hospitalized for a week. In this situation, is it still necessary to continue hospital treatment?
Answer
Hello, I’m glad to answer your question: If a newborn’s jaundice persists for more than half a month, it is an abnormal phenomenon. A bilirubin level of 12 is slightly elevated but not severe. If the baby is breastfed, it may be breastfeeding jaundice, and the jaundice will disappear after temporarily discontinuing breastfeeding for three days. Infants diagnosed with bilirubin encephalopathy may suffer irreversible brain damage, often caused by pathological jaundice, so it is recommended to continue treatment.