Question
Hello, my child has developed jaundice symptoms three days after birth, and the index was around ten during the fourth-day test. Since we came home, we have been giving the child medication, but now it’s the eighth day after birth, and the symptoms have not improved. What should I do? Should I continue to rely solely on medication for treatment, or should I take the child to the hospital for further examination?
Answer
Physiological jaundice typically appears 2 to 3 days after birth, reaches its peak between 4 to 6 days, and subsides between 7 to 10 days. For physiological jaundice, it can be helped by allowing the child to receive more sunlight exposure and increasing fluid intake. However, if jaundice persists beyond 10 days or recurs after fading, it may be pathological jaundice, which requires immediate medical attention for professional examination and treatment. Pathological jaundice may require blue light therapy and should not be delayed. Please note that this is only general advice, and specific treatment methods should follow the professional opinion of a doctor.