A 3-day-old full-term infant presents for follow-up. He was born via vaginal delivery, no complications. Mother is O positive, infant is A positive. Bilirubin level is 18 mg/dL. Infant is exclusively breastfed, appears jaundiced but feeding well, and has 6 wet diapers/day. Direct bilirubin is 0.8 mg/dL. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate initial management?
✓ Correct Answer: Option B
A 3-day-old term infant with an unconjugated bilirubin of 18 mg/dL is above the threshold for phototherapy according to AAP guidelines. Phototherapy is the initial treatment to lower bilirubin levels and prevent kernicterus.