Question
On the third day of life, the newborn’s bilirubin level reached 20, and the doctor recommended hospitalization for blue light therapy, but did not specify the treatment duration. How many days of blue light therapy is needed for a newborn with a bilirubin level of 20?
Answer
Newborn jaundice refers to an abnormal metabolism of bilirubin during the neonatal period, leading to an elevated bilirubin level in the blood, which in turn causes yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and conjunctiva. It is one of the most common clinical issues in neonates. Depending on the nature of newborn jaundice, it can be categorized into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice usually appears 2 to 3 days after birth, peaks at 4 to 6 days, and gradually subsides between 7 to 10 days, and may persist longer in preterm infants. This condition generally does not require special treatment but may cause mild loss of appetite. Pathological jaundice is characterized by early onset, severe degree, prolonged duration, or recurrence after subsidence and usually requires further examination and treatment. When the bilirubin level reaches a certain degree, blue light therapy may be necessary. Blue light therapy involves exposing the newborn’s skin to specific wavelengths of blue light to promote the conversion of bilirubin into water-soluble substances that can be excreted from the body through urine. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the newborn’s jaundice, the rate at which bilirubin levels rise, and the baby’s weight, among other factors. Generally speaking, the treatment may take several hours to several days. During treatment, the medical team will closely monitor the newborn’s bilirubin levels and