 Jaundice is a temporary condition, in which the skin turns a yellowish color due to a buildup of bilirubin.
Bilirubin is a naturally occurring molecule of the red blood cells. It is released into the bloodstream when the red blood cells break down. This is normal and occurs often. Our livers break down the bilirubin and it is excreted.
Infants have extra red blood cells that provide them with oxygen while they are in the mother's uterus. After the baby is born, the red blood cells break down, causing a buildup of bilirubin. Newborns have premature livers, which cannot effectively process the extra bilirubin, so it builds up giving them a yellowish color.
In all newborns, it is normal for bilirubin to rise during the first 3-4 days, peak and then slowly decline. The phototherapy will help the liver to process bilirubin, bringing your baby's level down to normal.
Phototherapy is a treatment of light. The light used causes the bilirubin to break down into a form that can be excreted by the baby. This eases some of the burden from the liver and allows the baby to excrete larger amounts. This has been a successful treatment for over 25 years.
Phototherapy is a safe, effective method of treatment. It provides the highest level of therapeutic light available to treat your baby. This is the same form of light found in sunlight, however the strength of light from phototherapy is the same as you would get in the shade on a sunny day. This is safer than sunlight though, because it filters out the harmful ultraviolet and infrared energy.
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