Patient's question:
Baby just born five days ago, took him to test for jaundice and found it had risen to 17. Looking at it, the doctor said it's necessary to take medicine, otherwise if it stays high, it could lead to kernicterus. I felt very upset. Could you please ask the doctor if a newborn with jaundice at 17 will develop kernicterus?Doctor's answer:
The normal range of bilirubin for full-term newborns is 3.4 mg/dL to 17 mg/dL. If the bilirubin level rises moderately after medication, it is generally not likely to cause kernicterus. It is recommended to communicate more with the attending physician. Pay close attention to the baby's mental state and watch out for any unusual crying. At the same time, maintain a constant indoor temperature and humidity. You can let the baby get more sun exposure. Wishing the patient a speedy recovery!