What is the normal value of jaundice in babies?

The normal value of jaundice in full-term babies is different from that in premature babies. Usually, the normal value of jaundice in full-term newborns is 12.9 mg/100 ml, which means that the bilirubin level in 100 ml of blood is less than 12.9 mg. The normal value of jaundice in premature babies is 15 mg/100 ml of blood, which means that the bilirubin level in 100 ml of blood is less than 15 mg.

When the baby's jaundice value exceeds 12.9mg/dl or the neonatal jaundice index rises too fast (rising by more than 5mh/dl per day), or the jaundice lasts longer than the 14 days for full-term infants and the 4 weeks for premature infants, or the jaundice disappears and reappears, it means that the neonatal jaundice is unhealthy and may be suffering from pathological jaundice.

Experts believe that jaundice is generally divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. As long as it exceeds the scope of physiological jaundice, it is called pathological jaundice.

1. Physiological jaundice

Usually, the skin of a newborn baby is a little yellow, which can be seen with the naked eye 2 days after birth. The yellowing reaches its peak at 3-5 days and will mostly disappear at 7-10 days. At this time, the jaundice index (serum bilirubin value) is generally within the normal range of no more than 15 mg/dL.

2. Pathological jaundice

There are many causes of pathological jaundice. The criteria for full-term and premature babies are different. If the mother finds the following conditions, she should send the baby to the hospital for observation:

(1) When jaundice is detected in a newborn within 24 hours of birth, it is called “early-onset jaundice”.

(2) The jaundice index rises too high all of a sudden, increasing by more than 5 mg/dL a day. This is a common symptom of hemolytic jaundice (the blood types of the mother and baby are incompatible).

(3) The jaundice index is too high, reaching 15 mg/dL.

(4) It lasts too long. Physiological jaundice generally lasts for 7-10 days. If it lasts for more than 2 weeks, you should pay attention.

Newborns will experience jaundice 3-5 days after birth, which is a normal phenomenon. The jaundice index should generally not exceed 15mg/dL. This is within the normal range and is physiological. Parents do not need to be too nervous, but if the jaundice index is high, you can try the following methods.

1. Drink boiled water.

The baby must be fed 30ml of boiled water every morning and evening, and should drink an appropriate amount of water during the day, so that the baby can expel jaundice as soon as possible. If the baby is breastfed, it is fine, but if the baby is drinking formula milk, water should be added.

2. Drink glucose.

When you find that the neonatal jaundice index is high, give the child some glucose water. Add glucose to water and feed it to the child. This is an effective way to remove jaundice.

3. Sunbathe.

Around 10 o'clock every morning, when the sun is not very strong, let your child bask in the sun, trying to expose the child's skin as much as possible, but avoid exposing the eyes.

4. Stop breastfeeding.

If the above methods do not work, then stop breastfeeding for 2-3 days. Because the cause of high jaundice may be breast milk, the jaundice index will drop after stopping breastfeeding.

If the jaundice index remains high for a long time, it may be pathological and it is recommended to go to the hospital for treatment.