How to Treat Elevated Bilirubin

An elevated bilirubin level marks a problem with the liver, the organ that cleanses the body of toxins. A newborn's liver may not be able to process all the old red blood cells (bilirubin), and a yellow tinge to the skin develops. Exposing the baby to natural sunlight was historically what was done to improve the condition and is still recommended by some if the jaundice is mild. Current treatments include phototherapy, drug therapy and blood transfusion.

Instructions

• 1

  Consider usingg phototherapy, the least invasive procedure. This treatment is administered by a Bili-blanket, a device prescribed by a neonatologist or pediatrician. The equipment consists of a fiber-optic blanket, cabling and a box that serves as a light source. The blanket is placed on the baby, who is preferably clad only in a diaper, so that as much of the skin is exposed to the blanket's surface area as possible. Avoid covering the baby's eyes with the pad. The blanket can be worn under clothing if necessary.

• 2

  Consider treating the baby with intravenous immunoglobulin. Immunoglobulins are produced by the white blood cells to fight off infection and auto-immune deficiencies and have been found effective in the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia. This procedure will be done in a clinical setting under a doctor's direction.

• 3

  Investigate drugs such as phenobarbital, cholestyramine, agar and clofibrate. Phenobarbital is the most widely used drug therapy but is not recommended if the jaundice is acute due to the slow-acting nature of the drug. Cholestyramine and agar work together and enable bilirubin to attach to bile acids, which are then excreted. Clofibrate is a very promising treatment due to its low incidence of side effects and, when combined with phototherapy, lessens the symptoms of jaundice quicker than phototherapy alone.

• 4

  Investigate the option of blood transfusion, which may be necessary if the infant's jaundice is severe. This procedure will be done in a hospital setting. The baby's blood will be completely transfused (exchanged) with a matching type of blood.