Patient's question:
My baby was just born three days ago, and now the jaundice level is measured at 16. The baby's face is yellow. The doctor at the hospital has asked us to be hospitalized for treatment. I'm worried about the baby's condition being quite serious. I want to ask if a jaundice level of 16 is severe?Doctor's answer:
This type of infant jaundice refers to a condition during infancy where abnormal bilirubin metabolism leads to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood, resulting in yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. This is a characteristic feature of the disease and one of the most common clinical issues in infants. The condition can be categorized into two major types: physiological and pathological. Based on current measurements of the jaundice index, the jaundice index is 16 mg/dL. Considering pathological jaundice, blue light therapy is required.