Patient's question:
What are the diagnostic criteria for pathological jaundice in newborns? How should newborn jaundice be treated? My child has jaundice, but I don't know what the criteria are.Doctor's answer:
Hello. If a newborn develops jaundice within 24 hours of birth and the jaundice index continues to worsen, exceeding 205, or if it persists for more than two weeks without subsiding, it is generally considered pathological jaundice. This is often seen in cases of viral infections, liver function damage, or hemolytic jaundice due to incompatibility between the mother and child's blood types. If a baby exhibits jaundice too early or if it fades too slowly, it is important to promptly take the child to the hospital for jaundice index testing. If the jaundice index rises significantly, it is necessary to seek hospital treatment with blue light therapy to reduce jaundice and intravenous albumin to assist in bilirubin metabolism. Specific symptoms should be considered, and relevant tests completed to identify the cause of jaundice, treat the underlying condition, and prevent complications.