What is the normal bilirubin value for newborn jaundice?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Neonatal jaundice is the most common occurrence during the newborn period, and it is routine to monitor jaundice in babies after birth until they are one month old. During the peak period of jaundice, the frequency of testing tends to increase. Normally, we say that jaundice levels should not exceed 6 within 24 hours, 9 within 48 hours, 12 within 72 hours, and ideally not exceed 15 after 72 hours. If the levels are higher than these values, or if the jaundice progresses too quickly, meaning that the rate increases by more than five milligrams per deciliter every twenty-four hours, this might indicate a pathological condition. In such cases, it is advisable to go to the hospital promptly for a specialist neonatologist to conduct a detailed examination of the baby to see if intervention is needed. Generally, if the baby's jaundice level has risen, it is best to monitor jaundice daily whenever possible after two weeks.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 3sec home-news-image

Is a bilirubin level of 20 high for a newborn?

If a newborn's skin jaundice reaches a level of twenty, it is a warning sign that the jaundice is significantly elevated. It is advised to promptly go to the hospital for an examination. If the bilirubin levels in the blood are indeed that high, timely intervention and treatment are necessary. Normally, for physiological jaundice, the levels should not exceed fifteen after seventy-two hours in infants. Even during the peak period of four to five days, it should not surpass fifteen. If the jaundice noticeably increases within the first three days and exceeds twenty, the severity of the jaundice might be worse. The younger the newborn, especially with levels above twenty, the higher the risk of bilirubin entering the brain, potentially leading to bilirubin encephalopathy. Therefore, with jaundice reaching twenty, it is still recommended to promptly go to the hospital for intervention and treatment.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 6sec home-news-image

How to care for neonatal jaundice

Neonatal jaundice is generally divided into physiological and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice usually does not require special intervention. During the peak period of jaundice, it is important to pay attention to feeding the baby. Strengthening feeding and encouraging the baby to defecate and urinate more can help reduce the jaundice. On the other hand, if the baby has pathological jaundice, it is advised to visit a hospital. A neonatal specialist will carefully examine the baby to determine whether special treatment is needed. Pathological jaundice is often just one symptom of a disease and there may be other pathological factors involved. Care at home for babies with jaundice should include careful feeding to prevent choking, monitoring bowel movements and urination, attending to buttock care, and observing the baby's mental state, reactions during feeding, and monitoring their temperature. Parents of babies with pathological jaundice should seek timely treatment and intervention from a doctor based on the baby's condition.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What to do if a newborn has high jaundice?

If a newborn baby has high jaundice that exceeds normal values, it is considered pathological jaundice. Pathological jaundice requires timely intervention. It is generally recommended to go to the hospital, where a specialist in neonatology will conduct a thorough examination of the baby. If necessary, hospitalization or medication might be required for treatment. It is advised that parents should not handle high jaundice on their own, as they generally do not know when the newborn is in a pathological state. It is best to have a specialist doctor manage and treat the baby’s jaundice, and the specialist will also guide the treatment of the jaundice.

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Written by Shi Ji Peng
Pediatrics
1min 11sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of neonatal jaundice?

Neonatal jaundice generally appears on the 2nd to 3rd day after birth and can manifest with yellowing of the skin, conjunctiva, and oral mucosa. The degree of jaundice varies, usually more noticeable on the face and chest, but not present on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. It is most apparent on the 4th to 6th day after birth. The duration of jaundice also varies; in full-term infants, jaundice typically subsides within 10-14 days after birth, whereas in premature infants, it can last until the third or even the fourth week. During this period, infants with physiological jaundice are generally in good condition without any other discomfort and do not require treatment. However, pathological jaundice must be investigated for its cause. Pathological jaundice is primarily characterized by an early onset, severe degree, prolonged duration, or recurrence of jaundice. In such cases, it is classified as pathological jaundice, and it is crucial to actively search for the cause and treat accordingly based on the identified cause.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Does neonatal jaundice require medication?

Neonatal jaundice is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice appears two to three days after birth, peaks around the fifth or sixth day, and then gradually subsides, so there is no need for medication in this case. If it is neonatal pathological jaundice, merely taking medication does not solve the problem; this requires treatment with blue light therapy. At the same time, it is important to identify the cause of the jaundice and treat it accordingly. In such cases, medication is actually not necessary. Therefore, it is crucial to first determine whether neonatal jaundice is physiological or pathological. Physiological jaundice requires no intervention, while pathological jaundice necessitates hospital treatment. Regarding the increasingly common breastfeeding jaundice, medication is generally not needed; monitoring of the jaundice in the child is essential, however. If the jaundice level continues to rise and exceeds 15 mg/dl, blue light therapy is also required. If the condition is not severe, exposing the child to more sunlight and waiting for the jaundice to subside naturally is sufficient.