Patient's question:
At 42 days, the baby was checked and the doctor said there was a bit of jaundice, with slightly yellow skin but normal sclera. The total bilirubin level was 68.4. The doctor prescribed 6 bottles of Yinzhihuang oral liquid and diagnosed it as breast milk jaundice, but no follow-up visit was recommended. Now the baby is 6 months old and still looks slightly yellow, not as fair as other babies. The baby is still being breastfed and has no other discomfort symptoms. I still feel a bit uneasy and wonder if a check-up should be done again?Doctor's answer:
Is the color of the child's urine and stool normal? How is the feeding? Is it breastfeeding?Newborn jaundice usually subsides within two weeks, while premature infants may take about four weeks. Breastfeeding jaundice may take longer, around two to three months to clear. Jaundice cannot be accurately assessed solely by visual observation, as it is influenced by factors such as the child's skin tone and lighting.
Additionally, at one month of age, the child needs to receive the second dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at the hospital. If the jaundice is severe, the hospital may require tests. If the index exceeds 6, the vaccination will be postponed, and the child will be prescribed medication. A follow-up check-up is needed one week later.
Many babies today experience delayed jaundice clearance, so it is advisable to have the child tested at the hospital for an accurate reading, which provides greater peace of mind.