Patient's question:
My baby is almost a month old. A while ago, his jaundice level was 20. He received treatment in the hospital for a period of time. Now his jaundice level has dropped to 17. Is a jaundice level of 17 normal for newborns?Doctor's answer:
Neonatal jaundice refers to the condition during the neonatal period where abnormal bilirubin metabolism leads to elevated bilirubin levels 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 classified into two major categories: physiological and pathological. After bilirubin testing, if the jaundice index reaches 17 mg/dL, pathological jaundice should be considered. It is appropriate to give the child more fluids and blue light therapy to alleviate the jaundice.