Patient's question:
My daughter is 1 year old. When she was 6 days old, the doctor checked and found her jaundice level was 9.8. I don't know if it's high or how to ask about it. I searched online but didn't find any results. Is a newborn jaundice level of 9.8 high?Doctor's answer:
Considering the possibility of breast milk jaundice, a bilirubin level of 9.8 is only slightly elevated. When it is confirmed to be breast milk jaundice, it is not recommended to stop breastfeeding. Instead, feed small amounts more frequently, perform clockwise abdominal massage to increase intestinal peristalsis, take traditional Chinese medicine for jaundice to promote bilirubin excretion, and expose the baby to sunlight to change the structure of indirect bilirubin, forming light isomers that are favorable for excretion in the urine. Breastfeeding should only be stopped when the bilirubin level exceeds 15 mg/dL. If the bilirubin level significantly decreases, breastfeeding jaundice is considered to be breast milk jaundice, and breastfeeding can still be continued.