Patient's question:
My baby is almost a month old. A few days ago, his jaundice level was 20, and he was treated in the hospital for a while. Now his jaundice level has dropped to 17. Is a jaundice level of 17 normal for a newborn?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, resulting in the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. It is the most common clinical issue in newborns. This condition can be categorized into two major types: physiological and pathological. Based on bilirubin testing, the jaundice index reaches 17 mg/dL. Considering pathological jaundice, it is appropriate to give the child more fluids. Blue light therapy should be administered to alleviate jaundice.