Bilirubin Jaundice Treatment

Elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia) causes jaundice in newborns. It's a common condition that generally requires no treatment. Frequent feeding can reduce jaundice, but in some cases a physician may recommend phototherapy, which is also known as light therapy.

Bilirubin buildup

• "Jaundice" refers to the yellow discoloration of the skin which comes from the buildup of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells. It is usually processed by the liver. However, a newborn's liver sometimes isn't mature enough to process the bilirubin, which leads to jaundice.

Frequent feeding

• Frequent feeding -- every two to three hours -- will usually solve the problem. If the jaundice persists, light therapy, also called "phototherapy," is required.

Phototherapy

• Phototherapy is the most common treatment for jaundice.

  Phototherapy is the most common treatment for persistent jaundice.

  The baby's body absorbs the light, helping breakdown and eliminate the bilirubin. In the past, the baby was placed under bright lights; now, the biliblanket is more common.

The Biliblanket

• The biliblanket is a fiberoptic pad that's placed directly against the baby's skin to deliver light. The biliblanket can be used 24 hours a day. It's normally used for a few days until the infant's liver is mature enough to handle the processing of bilirubin unaided. In some cases, treatment may last longer.

Side effects

• Babies receiving phototherapy will have frequent, loose and greenish bowel movements. It's a perfectly normal side effect and should stop when the treatment ends.