Patient's question:
My baby's jaundice level was high right after birth, and both his hands and body skin were yellow. What tests should be done for jaundice?Doctor's answer:
When jaundiced patients come to the hospital for follow-up, the first thing to check is liver function. In our liver function tests, some indicators are primarily examined, mainly focusing on bilirubin levels, especially the elevation of total bilirubin. Besides direct bilirubin, changes in enzyme levels are also considered, such as biliary enzymes and alkaline phosphatase. Additionally, liver function tests like GGT should be evaluated. Furthermore, the presence of liver cell enzymes can indicate potential harm to liver cells.If these indicators show no significant abnormalities, we should also check for hemolytic symptoms, which may manifest as anemia. This can be done through a blood routine test. If anemia is present, it helps to rule out the possibility of hemolytic jaundice.