Is Total Bilirubin Level Of 13.6 A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Thu, 3 Nov 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 3 Nov 2016 Answered on

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : my baby born at 37 weeks weigh 2.8 kg at birth is now 7 day old and his umibical cord had gone off yesterday..his total billurubin level is 13.6..what should we do to prevent further increase of jaundice? he is completely on breast feed. can we massage him now?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It will spontaneously come down - expose in sun light in early morning

Detailed Answer:
Hi...coming to your queries directly.

1. The bilirubin is not dangerously high for a 7 day old. It will spontaneously come down. Show the baby in early morning sun light for 15-30 minutes daily. But make sure that the high bilirubin is indirect bilirubinemia (hingh indirect bilirubin).

2. You can do oil massage for the baby - no problem.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (46 minutes later)

thanks..attached reports for your opinion..how long it usually takes to come down? also, what is the level at which photometry is required?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I do not see any reports in my dashboard panel here - please upload

Detailed Answer:
Hi.... I do not see any reports here in my panel. Please upload the reports again.

Usually it will take 2 weeks to get down.

Whether phototherapy is required or not need to be decided after seeing the kid directly and measuring his weight and checking the bilirubin 6 hourly once to see if it is rapidly raising or not. It should not be decided after seeing a single level.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng