Can neonatal jaundice with a bilirubin level of 18.5 mg/dL resolve spontaneously?

Newborn jaundice with a bilirubin level of 18.5 mg/dl may resolve spontaneously if it is caused by physiological jaundice. However, if it is due to pathological jaundice or other complications are present, spontaneous resolution is unlikely, and timely treatment may be necessary. If abnormalities are observed, prompt medical attention is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Physiological jaundice occurs because newborns produce excessive bilirubin following the breakdown of red blood cells after birth, while their liver function is not yet fully developed to process and eliminate this bilirubin efficiently. Although bilirubin levels may reach 18.5 mg/dl, the jaundice generally subsides gradually within 7 to 10 days after birth without specific treatment and may resolve on its own.

If jaundice in a newborn with a bilirubin level of 18.5 mg/dl is caused by pathological factors such as hemolytic disease, infection, or biliary atresia, or if the bilirubin level continues to rise accompanied by other symptoms such as poor appetite, lethargy, or excessive irritability, it typically will not resolve spontaneously. These forms of pathological jaundice can pose serious threats to the newborn's health and may even lead to complications such as bilirubin encephalopathy, necessitating immediate medical intervention.

For newborn jaundice, phototherapy under a doctor's guidance is generally recommended to lower bilirubin levels and prevent further deterioration of the condition. Additionally, parents should ensure proper feeding, maintain clean and hygienic skin care for the newborn, and provide appropriate exposure to sunlight as part of supportive care to promote resolution of jaundice.