Phototherapy and Jaundice in Your Premature Baby
By: Sjona Lindquist
"Phototherapy" is the medical term used for treating disorders of the skin such as jaundice by using ultraviolet and infrared radiation. "Photo" is from the Greek word "photos" meaning light, and "therapy" is from the Greek word "therapies" meaning to treat medically. A premature baby often needs this special kind of light treatment because preemies are often afflicted with jaundice. Jaundice is a condition that must be treated by medical interventions such as bililights, biliblankets and exchange transfusion. If severe jaundice is left untreated, it causes brain damage to the premature baby."Jaundice" is a yellowish discoloration caused by bile salts depositing in the tissues of the whites of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. It is a normal process for the body to break down red blood cells creating bilirubin. However, a premature baby will develop jaundice when their bilirubin level is too high, and the immature liver of a preemie is not efficient enough to remove the bilirubin from the bloodstream. Special lights (bililights) are able to penetrate a preemie's skin and break down the bilirubin in the blood turning it into lumirubin."Phototherapy lights" (bililights) are lights specifically designed to put out wavelengths of light from the blue part of the light spectrum. The chemical reaction occurring changes bilirubin to lumirubin, and this changed from is harmless to the premature baby allowing it to pass from her body. While your premature baby is receiving phototherapy light treatments, her eyes will be covered by a mask or cloth shielding them from direct exposure to light that may not be good for her eyes. Phototherapy treatment usually lasts from a week to ten days.A "Biliblanket" is a fiber optic blanket that may be used instead of bililights and is just as effective. The biliblanket has a fiber optic pad delivering microwatts of therapeutic light, and it can be taken home to use if necessary. The advantage of using a biliblanket for your premature baby is that it allows more surface exposure to the lights, it is easier to use, eye covering is not necessary, and phototherapy is not interrupted during feeding and bonding."Exchange transfusion, substitution transfusion, or total transfusion" is the process of removing most of the blood from your premature baby's body, while at the same time substituting it with equal amounts of donor blood. When bilirubin levels are too high, it becomes very dangerous for your baby. The best course of action is to replace your premature baby's blood with donor blood with no bilirubin in it.Sjona Lindquist is a mom of 6 (1 angel) and she owns and operates BabyLinq.com ~ Preemie Store. BabyLinq.com ~ Preemie Store is a resource site and specialty shop for parents of premature babies. Lindquist's daughter was stillborn from a Strep B infection due to PROM (Premature Rupture of Membranes). In honor of her daughter, Michaela, she offers preemie support, bereavement support, and preemie clothes. Some of the products include micro preemie clothes, preemie bereavement gowns, and Preemie dresses. If a new preemie has entered your life or someone you love, drop by and visit us! BabyLinq.com Preemie Store | |
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