Question
The baby’s jaundice index was measured at 280 on the 24th day, prompting hospitalization for blue light therapy. The baby was discharged with an index of 106 on the 28th day. However, the jaundice index was still high on the 31st day, preventing vaccination and the measured index was even higher. How should this problem be solved now?
Answer
The causes of baby jaundice are diverse, including breastfeeding jaundice, neonatal hemolytic disease, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, and neonatal hepatitis, hepatitis B, and other conditions characterized by elevated conjugated bilirubin. In addition, it may be related to infections such as umbilical inflammation and pneumonia. If it is breastfeeding jaundice, the jaundice index usually decreases by about 30% after 72 hours of breastfeeding cessation. At this point, it can be diagnosed as breastfeeding jaundice.