Question 1

when should we do phototherapy in neonatal jaundice.

Accepted Answer

Doctor's call: Jaundice phototherapy management is a doctor's decision which follows by the AAP guidelines and VK Bhutani's curve. It depends on the infant's assessment: his clinical status, underlying conditions (e.g. sepsis), inherited diseases (e.g. G6PD), gestational age (lower treatment threshold for the more premature), hours or days of infant's life, bilirubin fractions, albumin level, blood type, DAT.

Question 2

jaundice on 3rd day bili 16.. baby put on phototherapy .. how serious it is and long term issues associated with it.. how long can it take to cure .

Accepted Answer

BILIRUBINEMIA: Level of 16 is not too high but needs photo therapy to lower it to 10. It takes only a few days and baby will be ok.

Question 3

how does phototherapy cure jaundice for newborn babies?

Accepted Answer

Excrete via urine: Jaundice is a result of accumulation of bilirubin, end product of destroyed red cells.  The bilirubins deposited under skin undergoes change in physical character when exposed to special light, i.e. To become water soluble.  This change allows excess bilirubins deposited under skin to be excreted through urine.

Question 4

my son was born at 24 weeks. he's under phototherapy and his head is significantly darker than the rest of his body. is that from the jaundice?

Accepted Answer

Bronze baby synd?: Subset of infants who have  an  elevated direct bilirubin develops darker skin (bronze baby) when they are exposed to phototherapy.

Question 5

my baby is being treated with phototherapy for jaundice. i am concerned that the light is dehydrating her. she is currently 4 days old and has not had a wet nappy today. she did have a bowel movement at 6 this morning. should i be concerned?

Accepted Answer

Basics: The diapers we use today are so absorbent that we weigh them to monitor urine output. They may not feel wet. If  she is feeding well she is likely okay. The lights are not known to dry out infants. I would contact the supervising doc &amp; share your concerns.

Question 6

how does light therapy fix jaundice?

Accepted Answer

Excrete pigment into: The yellow pigment responsible for the jaundice in newborns is called indirect bilirubin which has high affinity to fat  and is not water soluble.  The bilirubins deposited under skin change its chemical nature when exposed to special light, i.e., water soluble,  and get excreted through urine.

Question 7

i have a hh agency(new), peds & just had first time request for light therapy for newborn jaundice infant. what complications are there?

Accepted Answer

See below: Blue light therapy for jaundice is standard for breaking down the bilirubin that is being produced and seen in the skin and sclera.  As long as the child's eyes are protected and hydration is monitored along with the bilirubin levels (by a health care professional), i fore see no complications as long as the bilirubin level is lowering and the child is not sick as well.

Question 8

hi. baby has jaundice at 3 days old. she was under uv light therapy for 3 days and her levels dropped to 180. the paed was happy. now her eyes are still yellow as initially.  is this a concern?

Accepted Answer

Depends on details: Many normal babies between the ages of 4 and 14 days have a bilirubin level up to 15 mg/dL (257 mmol/L). If the pediatrician is sure the baby is NORMAL, the natural changes in bilirubin should be ok. For example, such a baby might have a bilirubin level of 8 at age 2 days, 12 at age 3d, 16 at age 4d, 18 at age 5d, 15 at age 7d, 10 at age 14d, 5 at 21d. One can always call the doctor to recheck.

Question 9

my 3 week old baby had jaundice at birth and went through light therapy to get rid of it. he now sometimes has tummy cramps and i see this from how he crunches his tummy. my mom wants to give him lennon druppels and i am against it. ?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely to help: Infants that age have flabby/weak belly muscles &amp; often use their breathing muscle/fussing to help move food through their gut or poop. This makes the stomach push out &amp; appear hard. I don't assume its cramps. Some babies do it more than others. Pain drops/etc. rarely do anything more than give something to do. It fades when the muscles strengthen by 4 mo.

Question 10

does phototherapy/light therapy for treating eczema?

Accepted Answer

Yes: At times it can be very helpful, especially if the eczema is widespread.

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Doctor answers about:

Phototherapy in jaundice

A member asked:

When should we do phototherapy in neonatal jaundice.

A member asked:

Jaundice on 3rd day bili 16.. baby put on phototherapy .. how serious it is and long term issues associated with it.. how long can it take to cure .

A member asked:

How does phototherapy cure jaundice for newborn babies?

A member asked:

My son was born at 24 weeks. he's under phototherapy and his head is significantly darker than the rest of his body. is that from the jaundice?

A member asked:

My baby is being treated with phototherapy for jaundice. i am concerned that the light is dehydrating her. she is currently 4 days old and has not had a wet nappy today. she did have a bowel movement at 6 this morning. should i be concerned?

A member asked:

How does light therapy fix jaundice?

A member asked:

I have a hh agency(new), peds & just had first time request for light therapy for newborn jaundice infant. what complications are there?

A member asked:

Hi. baby has jaundice at 3 days old. she was under uv light therapy for 3 days and her levels dropped to 180. the paed was happy. now her eyes are still yellow as initially. is this a concern?

A member asked:

My 3 week old baby had jaundice at birth and went through light therapy to get rid of it. he now sometimes has tummy cramps and i see this from how he crunches his tummy. my mom wants to give him lennon druppels and i am against it. ?

A member asked:

Does phototherapy/light therapy for treating eczema?

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