What is the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia?
Bilirubin absorbs light. High bilirubin levels often decrease when a baby is put under special blue spectrum lights. This is called phototherapy. Your child may get this treatment in the day and night.
How does phototherapy work for hyperbilirubinemia?
Phototherapy is treatment with a special type of light (not sunlight). It's sometimes used to treat newborn jaundice by making it easier for your baby's liver to break down and remove the bilirubin from your baby's blood. Phototherapy aims to expose your baby's skin to as much light as possible.
How does phototherapy decrease unconjugated bilirubin?
Phototherapy: a treatment for jaundice where the exposure of skin to a light source converts unconjugated bilirubin molecules into water soluble isomers that can be excreted by the usual pathways.
Does phototherapy conjugate bilirubin?
PHOTOTHERAPY. Phototherapy employs blue wavelengths of light to alter unconjugated bilirubin in the skin. The bilirubin is converted to less toxic water-soluble photoisomers that are excreted in the bile and urine without conjugation.
What is the mechanism of action of phototherapy?
Mechanism of phototherapy: Blue-green light in the range of 460-490 nm is most effective for phototherapy. The absorption of light by the normal bilirubin (4Z,15Z-bilirubin) generates configuration isomers, structural isomers, and photooxidation products. The 2 principal photoisomers formed in humans are shown.
What is phototherapy used for?
It's called phototherapy, or light therapy. It uses ultraviolet rays to treat: Skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, or vitiligo. Skin cancers like cutaneous lymphoma.
What is the mechanism of hyperbilirubinemia?
Mechanisms of hyperbilirubinemia Decreased hepatic uptake. Decreased conjugation. Impaired excretion. Impaired bile flow (cholestasis.
What is the pathophysiology of hyperbilirubinemia?
Causes of pathologic hyperbilirubinemia can be classified as due to (1) increased bilirubin load (i.e., pre-hepatic; either hemolytic or non-hemolytic processes), (2) impaired bilirubin conjugation (i.e., hepatic) or (3) impaired bilirubin excretion (i.e., post-hepatic).
Why is phototherapy contraindicated in conjugated hyperbilirubinemia?
This method is twice as effective as standard phototherapy. The only contraindication to the use of phototherapy is conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, as occurs in patients with cholestasis and hepatic disease. In this setting, phototherapy may cause a dark grayish-brown discoloration of the skin (bronze baby syndrome).
What happens when bilirubin is exposed to light?
A specific wavelength of light can break down bilirubin into a form that the body can get rid of through the urine and stools. The light looks blue. The newborn is placed under the lights without clothes or just wearing a diaper. The eyes are covered to protect them from the bright light.
Is phototherapy a UV light?
Phototherapy uses lightwaves to treat certain skin conditions. The skin is exposed to an ultraviolet (UV) light for a set amount of time. Phototherapy uses a man-made source of UV light. UV light also comes from the sun.
What are the types of phototherapy?
Main types of phototherapyNarrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) light therapy. Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) is the most common form of phototherapy. ... Broadband ultraviolet B (BB-UVB) light therapy. ... Targeted ultraviolet B (UVB) light therapy. ... Psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy.