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What Does This Bilirubin Value In A Newborn Baby Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 22 Dec 2016

Question: 5 days old new born girl (2.5kg) is having 12.6 mg/dL bilirubin blood test report. How bad is this Jaundice, does it really need photo therapy or morning sunlight is enough? just need a second opinion.

This was normal delivery and currently on mothers milk..

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Phototherapy not needed

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Health care magic.

Before the birth the baby has a hemoglobin level higher than the mother so that it can extract oxygen from the mother 's blood. This extra hemoglobin is no longer needed afterbirth and breaks down to produces bilirubin. The acceptable range varies with day of life and weight in kg. The stated level is acceptable and needs no phototherapy and morning rays of sun should suffice. However, certain doctors prefer to give phototherapy to be on the safer side. If given, it is unlikely to do any harm. Still if the yellowishness reaches the sole of feet you will need to visit a doctor and get the level evaluated.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T