Phototherapy how does it work

The strength of light form the biliblanket is about the same, as you would get in the shade on a sunny day, yet is safer because the biliblanket filters out potentially harmful ultraviolet and infrared energy. A pad of woven fibers is used to transport light from a light source to your baby. This covered fiberoptic pad is placed directly against your baby to bathe the skin in light. Absorption of this light leads to the elimination of bilirubin. The biliblanket can be used 24 hours a day to provide continuous treatment if prescribed by your doctor.

Blood may be drawn and tested during treatment to check bilirubin levels and determine when normal levels are reached and phototherapy is no longer needed. With this convenient form of phototherapy your child can be diapered, clothed, held, and nursed during treatment. Can my baby sleep on a biliblanket? Your hospital will outline the schedule for your child's treatment. However, the biliblanket can be used 24 hours a day for as long as necessary.

The skin in direct contact with the pad is the first area where bilirubin is broken down. This breakdown process is not harmful; in fact, it contributes to the treatment of your baby and causes this portion of skin to turn to its normal color. As the treatment process continues, bilirubin is removed from the blood and the rest of the skin. As the bilirubin is lowered to acceptable levels, all of you baby's skin will return to its normal color.

No, only a small portion of the bilirubin is in the fatty tissue of the skin. The majority of the bilirubin is in the blood. The circulation of the blood will bring the bilirubin to the lighted area where it will be broken down. It is important that the plain lighted area of the covered pad-the area without writing- is against the baby's skin at all times during treatment.

Clothing can then be applied over the system. How long will the biliblanket be used on my baby? The length of time phototherapy treatment is needed varies from one baby to the next as each baby's condition is different.

Your health care provider will prescribe the amount of time your baby will be on the biliblanket each day. Most babies have phototherapy treatment for several days. Your baby's bilirubin level will be tested during treatment, usually by a small sample of blood taken from the baby's heel. These tests will determine when normal levels of bilirubin are reached and phototherapy is no longer needed.

Skip Navigation UofMHealth. University of Michigan Health System C. Commonly, an overhead phototherapy unit is combined with a bili blanket that can be place under the infant. Some of these blankets or pads are rather small, so 2 or 3 of these units may be needed to supply more complete coverage from below. Lining the sides of the bassinet with white blankets or aluminum foil can also increase the effectiveness of phototherapy. Clinical Guidelines Hypoglycemia Vitamin K.

Newborn Exam Barlow and Ortalani Manuevers. Frequently Asked Questions About Phototherapy. What wavelength of light is used? What's the difference between "conventional" and "intensive" Phototherapy? Why are the baby's eyes covered?

What are the risks of Phototherapy? Does Phototherapy pose any risk to caregivers? How long is Phototherapy usually needed? How can Phototherapy be maximized? JAbyMD, Back to top. Featured Normal Sleep Patterns. Parenting Teens - Communication. Nutrition Months. Parenting Skills. Sleeping Sound. Top 25 pages. Featured Fever. Brain Injury. Cerebral Palsy. Child Abuse. Childhood Cancer.

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