Question
My sister-in-law’s child was born with jaundice, with a reading of 277. The doctor said the condition is severe, and the family doesn’t know what to do. They want to ask what a jaundice level of 277 means for a newborn?
Answer
The bilirubin level in the laboratory blood test reached 277 points, which is relatively high and usually requires hospitalization. Treatment methods include blue light therapy and oral medication to reduce the jaundice index and prevent the development of severe kernicterus. Typically, a week of blue light therapy is needed, and if the condition worsens, blood transfusion may be required. Newborn jaundice is categorized as physiological or pathological. Physiological jaundice is easier to treat and has no sequelae, while pathological jaundice requires timely treatment.