Question
How should we understand the meaning of a neonatal jaundice value of 290?
Answer
A neonatal jaundice value of 290 is on the higher end. First, it’s important to consider the newborn’s birth date and whether they were born prematurely. If the newborn is premature or a full-term baby born within 24 hours, a jaundice value of 290 indicates a severe condition and should prompt immediate admission to the neonatal ward for treatment. This is to identify the cause and intervene early to prevent the occurrence of bilirubin encephalopathy. For a newborn between 4 to 6 days old, if the rise in jaundice value within 24 hours does not exceed 8, it is considered moderate jaundice. At this point, if the child is breastfeeding normally, they can take artichoke extract orally and be monitored closely for changes in jaundice.