Question
At 4 days old, the baby’s jaundice index is 13.8, in good spirits, everything seems normal. Should I be concerned?
Answer
Jaundice in newborns can be caused by breast milk, and it generally improves after stopping breastfeeding and increasing water intake for about 3 to 4 days, or at the longest within a week. However, if the total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels are high, although ALT is normal, attention should be paid to rule out biliary atresia. It is recommended to bring the child to the hospital for a check-up and not to take it lightly.