Patient's question:
My baby is just three days old. When the doctor checked, they said the baby has a high bilirubin level of 16+ points and recommended treating the jaundice with blue light therapy. I'm wondering if a bilirubin level of 16+ points in newborns requires blue light treatment?Doctor's answer:
Values above 16 points indicate very severe jaundice. If conditions permit, it is recommended to give the baby blue light. Jaundice is a physiological process that usually occurs 2-3 days after birth, peaks on 4-5 days, and disappears within 2 weeks. There is no prescription for treating jaundice. Oral probiotics help alleviate jaundice. Blue light therapy helps to quickly resolve jaundice. Bilirubin is higher than 17 mg/dL. Blue light therapy is recommended.