Question
My newborn is 20 days old and has a facial jaundice value of 17. When should blue light therapy be considered?
Answer
Typically, newborns will develop jaundice within the first two days after birth, reaching its peak within a week and naturally subsiding within two weeks. However, if the baby is already 20 days old and the jaundice index remains at 17, this is considered pathological jaundice, and it is recommended to use blue light therapy to reduce the jaundice level. If the baby shows symptoms of discomfort, such as vomiting or abdominal distension, further tests such as viral detection, liver function tests, and ultrasound of the liver and gallbladder should be conducted to determine the cause and receive symptomatic treatment.