Question
The newborn was diagnosed with high jaundice after birth and the doctor prescribed medication for treatment. Now, it has been 8 days. What should be the normal range of jaundice for an 8-day-old newborn?
Answer
Physiological jaundice is a temporary jaundice caused by bilirubin metabolism, usually appearing 2 to 3 days after birth, reaching its peak between 4 to 6 days, and gradually subsiding between 7 to 10 days. In premature infants, it may last longer. Apart from mild loss of appetite, there are no other clinical symptoms. Therefore, if the jaundice index exceeds 12.5 at this point, it is considered pathological jaundice. Parents should take their child to the hospital for blue light therapy to reduce the level of jaundice.