Is a Newborn Jaundice Level of 500 Severe?

If a baby’s bilirubin level reaches 500, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention, blood tests, abdominal ultrasound, and a clear diagnosis of the jaundice type. The baby should receive blue light therapy and aggressive treatment to prevent bilirubin encephalopathy. If bilirubin levels in the blood exceed 342, bilirubin encephalopathy may occur, necessitating blue light therapy or blood transfusion. Bilirubin encephalopathy can cause intellectual damage, particularly to the basal ganglia of the brain, known as kernicterus.
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