The severity of neonatal jaundice index of 16mg/dL is related to the newborn’s weight, day old, whether it was born prematurely or not, and the time of the jaundice index test. Jaundice index of 16mg/dL is more serious when the newborn is preterm, weighs less, belongs to the category of very low birth weight of less than 1500g or ultra low birth weight of about 1000g or when the jaundice index of the newborn is 16mg/dL measured within 24 hours of birth. At this time, the jaundice index rises rapidly and may continue to rise, resulting in hyperbilirubinemia, which may lead to brain damage. When the newborn is in good physical condition, delivered at term and of normal weight, the jaundice index of 16mg/dL measured after the third day of life is usually not serious. The jaundice index peaks when the newborn is 3 to 5 days old, when the jaundice index is not much higher than normal it is usually not serious and should be treated appropriately on the advice of the doctor. Hyperbilirubinemia caused when jaundice worsens should be treated promptly, otherwise it may lead to bilirubin encephalopathy, which may cause hearing impairment and movement disorders. Whatever the cause of pathologically elevated bilirubin, it should be treated promptly to avoid hyperbilirubinemia. Early treatment can minimize the sequelae and should be actively sought.