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| Question : |
My grandson found jaundice 2 days after he was born---after blood test the bili rubin count was 13 ---then the home nurse provided him with a lamp and after one day after the lamp they took another blood test the level was 15. Is it common that the level would go up instead of going down ? How long does it take with the lamp treatment to show improvement? thank you |
Answer |
Yes, it is possible for the
bilirubin level to go up and is commonly seen in babies who
are preterms or low birth weight. The other conditions that
can produce this is when the blood group of the baby and the
mother do not match especially if the mother's blood group
is Rh- or O+ve. Important is to know is whether the bilirubin
is indirect or direct. If indirect, phototherapy in the form
of lights is the treatment and if the bilirubin levels rise
to a dangerous level then even exchange of the blood may be
required. Sometimes double lamps may also be required. If
direct bilirubin is high, liver disease should be ruled out.
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