A small baby with a jaundice index of 17~18mg/dL is generally considered high, and reasonable interventions, such as blue light therapy, are needed depending on the baby’s specific condition.
Jaundice is due to the accumulation of bilirubin in the body caused by the yellowing of the skin or other organs, usually considered full-term newborn serum bilirubin does not exceed 12.9mg/dL, preterm infants less than 15mg/dL, so the small baby jaundice 17~18mg/dL is not normal, is significantly higher.
Timely intervention is needed for such babies to avoid serious complications due to increased jaundice, such as bilirubin encephalopathy, such as blood exchange therapy for 1-day-old babies, such as preterm babies over 35 weeks of age, and the presence of high-risk factors, such as hypoxia, acidosis, and so on. Blue light therapy is required if the above phenomenon is present in a 2-day-old baby.
The cause of high jaundice index should also be clarified, such as hemolytic disease of the newborn, the diagnosis of which requires the use of gammaglobulin and other treatments.
Jaundice index of 17~18mg/dL is recommended to consult a specialist for evaluation and treatment. The above medications should be used in accordance with medical advice.