Patient's question:
My baby has been born for over a month. The check-up revealed high jaundice. After undergoing blue light treatment, the doctor also recommended a brain scan. Do newborns with high jaundice need a brain scan?Doctor's answer:
Neonatal jaundice refers to the condition during the neonatal period where abnormal bilirubin metabolism leads to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. The occurrence of jaundice in the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera is the most common clinical issue in newborns. This condition can be categorized into two major types: physiological and pathological. Physiological jaundice generally does not require special treatment. Pathological jaundice requires treatment with blue light to resolve the jaundice. If bilirubin encephalopathy is suspected, cranial imaging studies should be conducted. I recommend that you seek medical guidance for medication or blue light treatment.