Category: Baby Care
Question: Hi doctor a baby about 3 days old and a nurse saw the baby and indicated that the baby has neonatal  jaundice She advice the baby to be taken outside every morning to receive sun light in the eyes Whats your advice
Answer: Hello 

Good evening 

As regards neonatal jaundice of the 3 day old baby i would advise that the child be taken to the hospital and assessed by a doctor possibly a pediatrician 

It is very pertinent that the serum bilirubin levels of the  child be estimated and the appropriate treatment instituted for the baby 

Treatment actually depends on the level of jaundice and not every jaundice is amenable to sunlight therapy 

In some cases the baby might even require exchange blood transfusion or simply phototherapy Jaundice not well treated can lead to permanent brain damage which is usually for life This is called Kernicterus 

So kindly advise them to take the child to the hospital 

I hope this helps 

Cheers