If you have gone home on the early discharge program, your baby may need to be re-admitted to the hospital if they need treatment for jaundice (although in the USA some treatments for jaundice are carried out at the home).
The main treatment used is phototherapy, but if the bilirubin levels are rising very rapidly, are already extremely high or the phototherapy is not helping, an exchange blood transfusion may be required. These treatments are discussed below.
Phototherapy
Other methods for giving phototherapy
Exchange blood transfusion
Phototherapy
Where is phototherapy given?
How is phototherapy given?
The side effects of phototherapy
Phototherapy has been used to treat jaundice since the early 1970's. It was first discovered by chance, when a sample of blood serum was left sitting in sunlight in a laboratory in Essex, England. The yellow serum turned paler after being left there for an hour or so, leading to the practice of leaving babies in the sunlight to treat jaundice.
In later years the bilirubin molecule was found to absorb most light at 450 nanometers. This is the 'blue part' of the light spectrum. Normal fluorescent lights have a high output of blue light and are the type used for phototherapy. The fluorescent light processes the bilirubin through the baby's skin. It turns the bilirubin into a water-soluble substance that can be excreted by the baby's kidneys. This process is called 'photoisomerisation' and it helps eliminate the accumulated bilirubin that the baby's liver cannot cope with.
If the bilirubin levels (confirmed by a blood test) are starting to rise above acceptable levels (or are already high), then your caregiver may suggest that your baby needs phototherapy.
NOTE: If your baby has mild jaundice, never put them in direct sunlight for prolonged periods, this can give them sunburn.