Patient's question:
Baby was born on the third day with a total bilirubin of 265, and the doctor said it was a bit high. On the fourth day, the baby was discharged from the hospital. The doctor measured the skin bilirubin at 15.8 and recommended phototherapy. Due to the urgency of leaving the hospital, we chose to discharge the baby in the morning and bring them for phototherapy in the afternoon. In the afternoon, when we brought the baby to the hospital, the highest skin bilirubin reading was in the 13s. The doctor then suggested that phototherapy was optional and that we could bring the baby home to sunbathe and take Yinzhihuang probiotics. Of course, we agreed to treat the baby at home. We all thought the baby was fine, but on the sixth day, we brought the baby back to the hospital, and the highest skin bilirubin reading was 19.8. Hospitalization was recommended, and after admission, the urine test results showed a bilirubin level of 437. The doctor suggested starting with phototherapy and human albumin, and if the levels did not drop, immediate exchange transfusion would be necessary. After 6 hours of phototherapy, a retest showed a bilirubin level of 342. Now, on the seventh day, the bilirubin has dropped to 279. Did we wait too long to admit the baby to the hospital on the sixth night? As parents, we truly feel too negligent. The baby has no other complications, is feeding normally, and taking naps. There are no signs of bilirubin encephalopathy. Is the risk of encephalopathy high?Doctor's answer:
As you mentioned, in this case, the baby's bilirubin level increased three days after birth. The bilirubin level rose to 265 three days after birth, and it is important to seek timely treatment, such as blue light therapy. Currently, the baby is feeding well and sleeping peacefully. The bilirubin level is now 279, so it is necessary to actively cooperate with the doctor's treatment and drink more water. The above advice is for the question "What should I do if the baby's total bilirubin is 265 on the third day of birth?" I hope it helps you. Wishing you good health!