Question
My son was born two days ago, and his bilirubin level today is 11. I’m worried the condition might worsen, so I want to ask the doctor to prescribe medication to prevent it. However, the doctor advised that medication should be used only when necessary. I want to know, do newborns with a bilirubin level of 11 need to take medication?
Answer
Newborn jaundice refers to the condition where, due to abnormal bilirubin metabolism, the concentration of bilirubin in the blood increases, leading to yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes. Newborn jaundice is typically categorized into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice usually appears 2-3 days after birth, reaches its peak between 4-6 days, and generally does not require treatment; observation is sufficient.