Jaundice light therapy

Types of jaundice light therapies

Jaundice light therapy is a medical treatment for jaundice, especially in newborns. It is a condition where there is a high level of bilirubin in the blood, which gives the skin a yellowish color. The jaundice therapy lamp emits blue light that helps break down bilirubin in the baby’s blood. There are different types of jaundice light therapy, which include:

• Conventional phototherapy

  In this type of phototherapy, the baby lies under a fluorescent light bank. The lamp emits a blue light that helps reduce the bilirubin levels in the baby’s body. The light bank is about 45 cm away from the baby. The baby is placed on the incubator or crib under the light to receive maximum exposure. The baby’s eyes are covered to protect them from the bright light. Their skin is also exposed so that the light can work on it.

• Fiber-optic phototherapy

  In this type of phototherapy, the baby is treated while lying in an incubator. The baby lies on a mattress with fiber-optic cables underneath it. These cables emit blue light that helps reduce bilirubin levels. The baby is covered with a blanket to keep warm, and their eyes are covered to protect them from the light. The advantage of fiber-optic phototherapy is that the baby receives light therapy and warmth at the same time.

• Dual phototherapy

  This type of phototherapy uses both conventional and fiber-optic systems. It provides light treatment from the overhead lamp and the mattress with fiber-optic cables. The combination of the two light sources produces better results in lowering bilirubin levels.

• Home phototherapy

  Some babies with mild jaundice can be treated at home. The home phototherapy device consists of a small phototherapy lamp. The baby is treated while lying in a crib or bassinet. The lamp is mounted on a stand positioned over the baby. The advantage of home phototherapy is that the baby can be close to the mother during treatment. This also allows the baby to have more skin-to-skin contact with the mother, which is good for both of them.

How to choose jaundice light therapy

The jaundice light therapy is helpful to newborns and adults having excess bilirubin in the body. It reduces the chemical through phototherapy. When buying jaundice therapy lights for sale, consider the following factors.

• Effectiveness

  It takes an effective jaundice therapy lamp to reduce bilirubin levels in the body. The jaundice light should emit a blue spectrum ranging from 425 to 475 nanometers. This ensures the light penetrates the skin to break down the bilirubin. Consider the jaundice treatment lamps with a high irradiance (more than 30 μW/cm2). Such products have a high bilirubin breakdown rate.

• Light wavelength

  The jaundice therapy lamp should produce a light spectrum that breaks down bilirubin. A lamp with an incorrect light wavelength will not reduce the chemical. The standard light wavelength for jaundice treatment is 425 to 475 nanometers. This ensures the light effectively breaks down the bilirubin.

• Safety features

  It is safe to use jaundice light therapy on newborns and adults. The therapy lamp has certain safety features. For instance, it has a protective eye mask. The eye mask prevents the light from hurting the newborn's eyes. Some lamps also have fiber optic blankets. This feature allows the light to pass through the blanket and cover the baby. It keeps the infant safe from excess light exposure. Additionally, fiber optic blankets ensure the light covers a large surface area.

• Adjustable design

  Buy a jaundice therapy lamp with an adjustable design. This makes it easy to change the height and angle of the lamp. An adjustable therapy lamp can fit different types of incubators. It also allows caregivers to give adequate treatment to the baby.

• Manufacturers and brands

  Buy therapy lamps from reputable manufacturers and brands. They make the products with quality materials and meet safety standards. Also, the products have a track record of being effective in treating jaundice.

How to use and product safety

It's important to note that jaundice light therapy for newborns should always be done under the supervision of a healthcare professional. The healthcare provider will determine the type and duration of treatment based on the bilirubin levels in the blood.

• Using light therapy at home

  In some cases, the healthcare provider may allow the parents to treat the baby at home. The baby may need to be placed in the light therapy unit naked except for a diaper. The baby may be turned frequently so that as much skin as possible is exposed to the light. The baby's eyes must be protected with eye patches or shades to prevent damage from the bright lights.

• Using a light therapy blanket

  Sometimes, a blanket with special lights is placed under or over the baby. This allows the baby to receive treatment while still being close to parents or caregivers. The same rules apply as above regarding skin exposure and eye protection. The healthcare provider will explain how long the baby needs to be treated each day.

• Monitoring Bilirubin Levels

  Whether treated in the hospital or at home, it is important to monitor the bilirubin levels regularly through blood tests. The goal is to lower the bilirubin levels sufficiently so that jaundice symptoms start to improve. If the levels do not decrease or worsen, the healthcare provider may recommend additional treatments.

• Ensuring Proper Care During Treatment

  During jaundice light therapy, it is important to keep the baby well-hydrated through frequent breastfeeding or formula feeding. This helps flush excess bilirubin out of the body through stool. The baby should also be checked for any signs of skin irritation, eye damage, or changes in stool color that may indicate the treatment is not working.

• Possible Additional Treatments

  If jaundice does not improve with light therapy alone, the healthcare provider may recommend other treatments. These could include exchange transfusion, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, or other medications. An exchange transfusion involves removing the baby's old blood and replacing it with new blood to decrease bilirubin levels rapidly. IVIG therapy is a medication that helps break down bilirubin more efficiently.

• Following Up After Treatment

  Once jaundice resolves, follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor the newborn's development and check for any potential long-term effects. Most babies fully recover from jaundice with no lasting issues, but developmental milestones will be tracked to ensure everything is proceeding normally.

Functions, features, and design of jaundice light therapy

Function

• Phototherapy treatment:

  This therapy is a medical treatment that helps reduce bilirubin levels in the blood. The light helps break down the bilirubin in the baby's skin, reducing jaundice symptoms.

• Promotes healthy skin:

  Light therapy promotes skin health by reducing jaundice symptoms and promoting a healthy skin tone. The jaundice treatment light helps clear jaundice and gives the skin a healthy look.

• Prevents complications:

  The treatment prevents complications that may arise due to high bilirubin levels. It helps the body process bilirubin correctly and prevents the development of kernicterus, a condition that can cause permanent brain damage if left untreated.

Feature

• Effective bilirubin reduction:

  Jaundice light therapy effectively reduces the bilirubin in the blood, safely treating neonatal jaundice. The therapy helps prevent the jaundice from spreading and gives the baby a healthy skin tone.

• Non-invasive treatment:

  Jaundice light therapy is a non-invasive treatment for jaundice in newborns. The process does not involve any medical procedures that may be painful to the baby.

• Safe for infants:

  Doctors recommend jaundice light therapy as a safe treatment for newborns. The therapy does not have any adverse effects on the baby.

Design

• Adjustable light intensity:

  The lights' intensity is adjustable to suit different jaundice cases. It can also be adjusted according to the doctor's prescription.

• Light covers:

  Some light therapy devices come with covers that shield the baby's eyes from the light. It reduces the brightness of the light so that the baby's eyes are not exposed to it.

• Portable design:

  Jaundice light therapy devices have a portable design, making them easy to use anywhere. The portable model is preferable and convenient for families that need to continue therapy at home. It is compact and easy to set up in the baby's crib.

• Comfortable for infants:

  Jaundice light therapy devices are designed to be comfortable for infants. They have features like soft and smooth light pad surfaces that are gentle on the baby's skin. This helps enhance the comfort level of the baby during treatment.

Q&A

Q1: What is jaundice light therapy?

A1: Jaundice light therapy, also known as phototherapy, treats newborn infants with elevated bilirubin levels, which causes a yellowing of the skin and eyes called jaundice. During this therapy, the baby is exposed to blue spectrum light, which helps lower bilirubin levels in the blood.

Q2: How does jaundice light therapy work?

A2: The light penetrates the baby's skin and breaks down the bilirubin in the bloodstream so it can be eliminated. The most common type of light used is fluorescent lights in special phototherapy units or bililights. These units allow the baby to be treated while lying under or beside the lights with minimal clothing to maximize skin exposure.

Q3: Is jaundice light therapy safe?

A3: Yes, jaundice light therapy is considered a safe and effective treatment for newborn jaundice. It has been extensively studied and shown to reduce the need for more invasive treatments like blood transfusions. The levels of bilirubin that typically occur in newborn jaundice resolve on their own or with this therapy. However, as with any medical treatment, it is important for it to be conducted under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.

Q4: How long does light therapy for jaundice take?

A4: The duration of light therapy depends on the bilirubin levels and how quickly they begin to drop. Some infants may require only a short hospital stay, while others may need treatment for several days. The newborns are monitored closely with blood tests to ensure the bilirubin levels are decreasing adequately. The therapy is continued until the levels are low enough that jaundice will likely not return.

Q5: Can jaundice reoccur after light therapy ends?

A5: In some cases, jaundice can return after light therapy ends if bilirubin levels rise again. This may happen if the underlying issue causing jaundice - such as immature liver function or blood type incompatibility - has not fully resolved. Most infants in this situation will not need further light therapy and the jaundice will eventually clear as the liver matures and processes bilirubin more effectively.