Bili light

Bili light is a type of light therapy (phototherapy) used to treat newborns with jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. This condition is common in newborns and can be harmful if the levels of bilirubin become extremely high.

Overview

Bilirubin is a yellow substance that the body creates when it replaces old red blood cells. The liver helps break down bilirubin so that it can be removed from the body in the stool. When the baby is growing in the mother's womb, the placenta removes bilirubin from the baby's body. After birth, the baby's liver starts doing this job. It may take some time for the baby's liver to be able to do this efficiently.

Treatment

The bili light is a light therapy box that emits light in the blue-green spectrum. This light helps to decrease bilirubin levels in the baby's body through a process called photo-oxidation. Photo-oxidation adds oxygen to the bilirubin so it can dissolve easily in water. This makes it easier for the baby's liver to process and eliminate the bilirubin from the body.

The baby is placed under the light without clothes or just wearing a diaper. The eyes are covered to protect them from the light. The therapy may last for a few days, depending on the level of bilirubin in the baby's blood.

Side Effects

While bili light therapy is generally safe, it can have some side effects, including dehydration and rash. Therefore, it's important to monitor the baby's weight, fluid intake, and output during treatment. The baby's skin and eyes may also appear a bit more yellow while under the light, but this is normal and will go away once the treatment is completed.

See Also

• Jaundice
• Phototherapy
• Bilirubin

References

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  Bili light with newborn
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