What is fiber-optic phototherapy?

Fibreoptic phototherapy is a new type of phototherapy in which the light is applied directly to the skin of the infant via optical fibres, enabling the infants to be nursed fully clothed near to their parents.

How does the jaundice blanket work?

A pad of woven fibers is used to transport light from a light source to your baby. This covered fiberoptic pad is placed directly against your baby to bathe the skin in light. Absorption of this light leads to the elimination of bilirubin.

How effective are Bili Blankets?

Conclusions: We have shown that the BiliBlanket is as effective as conventional phototherapy and was well accepted by nursing staff and parents.

How long until Bili blanket works?

The lights shine on the baby’s skin and change the bilirubin. It can then pass out of the body through the urine and stool. Your baby will need to be under the light for about 1 to 2 days. He may also lie on a blanket of light, called a bili-blanket.

What is a common adverse effect of phototherapy?

Side effects — Phototherapy is very safe, but it can have temporary side effects, including skin rashes and loose stools. Overheating and dehydration can occur if a baby does not get enough breast milk or formula. Therefore, a baby’s skin color, temperature, and number of wet diapers should be closely monitored.

What are the 2 most common types of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia?

Several types of Bilirubinemia have been reported in neonates including physiological jaundice, pathological jaundice, jaundice due to breastfeeding or breast milk and hemolytic jaundice including three subtypes due to Rh factor incompatibility, ABO blood group incompatibility and Jaundice associated with Glucose-6- …

What should Mother eat when baby has jaundice?

Fresh fruits and vegetables All fruits and vegetables contain some level of liver-friendly nutrients, but some varieties are especially beneficial for liver conditions. These include: whole cranberries, blueberries, and grapes. citrus fruits, especially lemons, limes, and grapefruits.

How long does it take for bilirubin to return to normal?

Bilirubin levels slowly improve over 3–12 weeks. has a different blood type from the mother. If mother and baby have different blood types, the mother’s body makes antibodies that attack the baby’s red blood cells.

How do I know if my Bili blanket is working?

The bilirubin level will usually decrease every day with the treatment. The phototherapy may sometimes cause your baby to have brown coloured urine and loose brown/green bowel motions. These are signs that the treatment is working and the bilirubin level is decreasing.

What happens if bilirubin stays high?

In rare cases, if the bilirubin level stays high and isn’t treated, it can cause brain damage called kernicterus. This can lead to serious lifelong problems.

What are the disadvantages of phototherapy?

The short-term side effects of phototherapy include interference with maternal-infant interaction, imbalance of thermal environment and water loss, electrolyte disturbance, bronze baby syndrome and circadian rhythm disorder.

How do I know if phototherapy is working?

How is fiber optic phototherapy used to treat jaundice?

Fiber Optic Phototherapy. Your baby sleeps on a bili blanket made from fiber optic cables that transmit light waves onto the child’s skin and into their blood system. Both methods are effective at reducing and finally eliminating jaundice. Conventional light therapy is usually done in the hospital setting.

How does the biliblanket work for jaundice blankets?

The wand of the biliblanket is very flexible and the sleeve is long enough to wrap around your baby’s midsection. This way, the phototherapy treatment has a very wide range of coverage. The blanket emits blue light through its sleeve. This blue light, in turn, helps reduce the high levels of bilirubin.

How are Biliblankets used for home phototherapy?

Technology advancements have led to home phototherapy treatment through the use of Biliblankets. The blanket is tied to baby (usually on the back) and a pad of woven fibers is used to transport light to your baby. Home treatment is quite popular with parents, doctors, and insurance companies because you avoid higher costs of inpatient treatment.

How is phototherapy used to treat jaundice in babies?

Jaundice is a common finding in premature and full term newborns. Phototherapy has been widely used in the management of Neonatal unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia for over five decades. Phototherapy devices include Fluorescent, Halogen, Fiberoptic or Light-Emitting Diode light sources.