What should be done if a newborn baby has high jaundice?

Generally, high jaundice in newborns may be caused by normal physiological phenomena, maternal-infant blood type incompatibility, infection, polycythemia, or congenital biliary atresia. Symptomatic treatment should be provided based on the specific condition. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Normal phenomenon

The liver enzyme system in newborns has not yet fully developed and cannot promptly convert bilirubin into a water-soluble form for excretion through urine. This is a normal physiological phenomenon and usually does not require special treatment.

2. Maternal-infant blood type incompatibility

When the mother's and newborn's blood types are incompatible, the mother's antibodies may attack the infant's red blood cells, leading to massive red blood cell destruction and release of bilirubin. Feeding the baby more breast milk or formula can promote intestinal motility and help eliminate bilirubin from the body more quickly.

3. Infection

Infections in newborns may impair liver function and affect bilirubin metabolism, resulting in jaundice. Symptoms may also include fever, cough, and rapid breathing. Under medical guidance, phototherapy using blue light can be applied to convert bilirubin into substances that are easier to excrete, thereby helping alleviate symptoms.

4. Polycythemia

If the infant's parents have polycythemia, the infant may inherit the genetic predisposition, leading to increased bilirubin production and consequently elevated jaundice. Medications such as enteric-coated aspirin tablets, dipyridamole tablets, or amoxicillin granules may be used under medical supervision to relieve symptoms.

5. Congenital biliary atresia

Congenital biliary atresia may cause abnormal development of the bile duct system, preventing normal bile excretion and causing bilirubin to reflux into the bloodstream. It is recommended to undergo hepatic portoenterostomy (Kasai procedure) under medical guidance to prevent the progression of biliary cirrhosis.

During treatment, close adherence to the doctor’s recommendations is essential, along with careful monitoring of the infant’s condition changes to ensure health and safety.