Patient's question:
My baby was admitted to the hospital for jaundice when he was three days old because his bilirubin level was high. After three days, it stabilized, and he was discharged. However, I noticed that he turned yellow again the next day. Is it a rebound? Can he still be treated with blue light?Doctor's answer:
In China, the most common treatment for jaundice is blue light therapy. Newborns lie in a phototherapy box. Their eyes are covered with black eye patches to prevent retinal damage. The perineum and anus are covered with diapers, while the rest of the body is exposed. Continuous or intermittent irradiation for 2 to 48 hours (usually not exceeding 4 days). Unilateral or bilateral irradiation until the bilirubin level drops below 7 mg/ml, then the treatment can be stopped. If jaundice recurs, the treatment can be continued.