Question

My newborn’s jaundice has been persistent (it’s now been 38 days, but the jaundice is slowly diminishing), and it’s not nuclear jaundice, nor is it breastmilk-related jaundice. What could be the cause? Would blue light therapy help? How should it be treated?

Answer

Hello, here are the treatment methods for neonatal jaundice:

  1. Physiological jaundice generally does not require hospitalization. At home, you can perform sunlight therapy, increase fluid intake with glucose water, and take some medications to support normal intestinal flora to aid in the yellowing reduction.
  2. Treatment for pathological jaundice: Neonatal hemolytic disease often occurs in delivery rooms or high-risk nurseries, and treatment may include blood transfusions, phototherapy, and medication based on the severity of the condition. For jaundice caused by infectious diseases, while treating the primary disease, attention should be given to the application of yellowing reduction therapies. Breastmilk-related jaundice can be treated with sunlight therapy and oral yellowing reduction medication. If necessary, you can stop breastfeeding for three days (temporarily substitute with formula milk for three days) and then continue breastfeeding without hospitalization. Biliary atresia requires surgical treatment.