Jaundice

We still remember that Gabriel's first Serum Bilirubin (Neonatal) test on 28 May 2009 was ok. However, Dr Eric Lee (Gabriel's pediatrician) has instructed the nurses to put him under the Bililight (blue spectrum light) the following day because he was a bit "yellow". Gabriel remained ok until he was discharged.

Our first visit to Dr Eric Lee was on 03 June 2009. The Serum Bilirubin (Neonatal) test was a bit shocking. It was 215 umol/L, which was 35 umol/L above the threshold. Dr Eric Lee suggested home phototherapy. Home phototherary means renting the Bililight and put Gabriel under the light for at least 16 hours per day. The rental fee was not cheap. It was RM430 for 3 days.

The machine arrived that evening and it looked like the following.















And this was how Gabriel looked like in his Bili gear :).















Our followup visit to Dr Eric Lee was on 05 June 2009. The Serum Bilirubin (Neonatal) test was now at 174 umol/L (within the normal range of 80-180 umol/L). But, Gabriel's face was still a bit "yellow".

Daddy brought Gabriel back to the hospital for the third test on 10 June 2009 because Gabriel condition had not improved (to Daddy's naive perception). The reading was 182 and daddy was shocked. Daddy decided straightaway to take Gabriel to see another pediatrician because Dr Eric Lee was on leave for a week. The new doctor was Dr Foo Wang Leng. She was very pleasant and explained to Daddy that there was nothing to be worried about because little Gabriel was already 15 days old then and the test showed that his bilirubin level was stabilising. Daddy was relieved and decided to switch Gabriel to this pediatrician.

No more sun bathing for Gabriel, no more bililight, no more Biliband that Gabriel disliked. Good Gabriel, Daddy and Mommy love you very much!