Patient's question:
Doctor, my baby is a premature infant and currently has a high bilirubin level of 162. We are in the hospital under blue light treatment. Can it be reduced? The doctor said if it cannot be reduced, we will need to perform an exchange transfusion, which is very worrying. I hope to get your help.Previous treatment history and effectiveness: No treatment has been administered yet. What kind of help do you need: I mainly want to ask if the baby's condition is serious and if the exchange transfusion level is high. If it is high, will a blood transfusion interfere with the baby? Thank you!
Doctor's answer:
Usually, newborns can visibly notice a slight yellowish tint in their skin two days after birth, reaching its peak between 3 to 5 days, and it will most likely disappear within 7 to 10 days. At this stage, the jaundice index generally does not exceed 257, indicating physiological jaundice.Your baby is a premature infant, making them more prone to developing jaundice and at a higher risk of developing kernicterus. The baby's jaundice index is 162, which is not too high, and phototherapy can effectively resolve it. Generally, splinting treatment is not necessary.