Patient's question:
My wife just gave birth to a baby yesterday. Today, during the check-up, the baby's jaundice level was found to be 10. I'm not sure what the normal level should be. Is a jaundice level of 10 high for a newborn who is only one day old?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 yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera is the most common clinical issue in newborns. This condition can be classified into physiological and pathological types. If jaundice appears within 24 hours after birth, it should be considered pathological jaundice. Monitoring should be conducted to track the specific levels of bilirubin. Generally, medication or blue light treatment is recommended for jaundice. I suggest it's best to communicate the child's condition in detail with the doctor.