Question
My newborn developed jaundice three days after birth and it has not subsided by the seventh day, with levels exceeding 16.3. I would like to know if it will disappear on its own, if medication can be used for treatment, and what causes jaundice.
Answer
Jaundice in newborns can be caused by several factors including the normal breakdown of red blood cells, hemolysis, inhaled injury, infection, hematoma on the scalp, hypothyroidism, and liver or biliary diseases. For full-term infants, levels below 221μmol/L (12.9mg/dl) are considered normal physiological phenomena. For premature infants, levels below 256μmol/L are normal. If jaundice levels are too high, active treatment should be considered, which may include blue light therapy. Oral medications for reducing jaundice are effective but slow, and the purpose of active treatment is to prevent potential bilirubin encephalopathy.