Question
The newborn’s jaundice level has reached 17, inquiring about the treatment methods and when to perform blue light therapy.
Answer
Under normal circumstances, newborns will develop jaundice within the first two days after birth, which usually peaks around one week and naturally subsides within two weeks. However, if the baby’s jaundice index remains high at 17 after 20 days of birth, it is considered pathological jaundice. It is recommended to use blue light therapy to help reduce the baby’s jaundice index. If the baby is accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting and abdominal distension, further viral testing, liver function tests, and liver and gallbladder ultrasound should be conducted to confirm the cause and provide symptomatic treatment.