Question
At 20 days old, the total bilirubin level is 199.6, indirect bilirubin is 189.6, and direct bilirubin is 10. Is hospitalization necessary?
Answer
Jaundice in newborns is usually a normal physiological phenomenon that appears within 3 to 5 days after birth. Full-term infants should see their jaundice resolve within 14 days, while premature infants may take up to 3 to 4 weeks. Pathological jaundice may be related to factors such as infection, neonatal hemolytic disease, congenital bile duct atresia, and breastmilk jaundice. If jaundice appears early, is severe, lasts for a long time, or recurs, it should be considered pathological jaundice, and the cause needs to be identified for treatment. Early and active treatment can prevent adverse consequences.