Patient's question:
Baby just born five days today 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 sad hearing this. Could you please tell me if a newborn with jaundice at 17 will develop kernicterus?Doctor's answer:
The normal range of bilirubin for full-term newborns is total bilirubin 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 be alert to any unusual crying. At the same time, maintain a warm and humid indoor environment. You can take the baby out to get more sunlight. Wishing the patient a speedy recovery!