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At what bilirubin level should I consider phototherapy for a neonate with jaundice?
Answer
Guideline-Aligned (High Confidence)
Generated by iatroX. Developer: Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP (General Practitioner).
Last reviewed: 22 August 2025
Phototherapy should be considered in babies with a serum bilirubin level that exceeds the management thresholds specified in the threshold table and treatment threshold graphs for their age and condition 1.
Specifically, in babies who are 38 weeks or more gestational age and more than 24 hours old, phototherapy is indicated when bilirubin levels are above the thresholds outlined in the management thresholds table, which vary by age in hours 1.
For example, at 24 hours, phototherapy is recommended if bilirubin exceeds 200 micromol/litre, and at 48 hours, if it exceeds 250 micromol/litre, among other thresholds 1.
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