Question
How should one handle a newborn with high bilirubin levels at birth?
Answer
If a newborn has high bilirubin levels at birth and the condition improves after hospital treatment with blue light therapy, but then reappears around twenty days later along with symptoms of pneumonia, and there is a suspicion of cytomegalovirus infection during the treatment process, leading to persistent jaundice, the child is currently receiving treatment in the hospital and the bilirubin levels have decreased, below twenty. According to the examination results, the doctor has ruled out bile duct obstruction and bowel movements are normal. However, the child sometimes cries and is restless. In addition to the known infection causes, what other factors could contribute to persistently high bilirubin levels? Moreover, could high jaundice significantly affect the liver? How necessary is genetic testing in this situation? Cytomegalovirus infection may lead to the recurrence of jaundice. High jaundice does not necessarily indicate liver damage; the key is whether transaminases are abnormal. If the bilirubin levels are too high during the treatment of cytomegalovirus infection, specialized treatment for jaundice can also be considered. If there is a suspicion of jaundice caused by other metabolic diseases, genetic testing can be considered.