Category
Neonatology Therapeutic
Typical Use
Treat neonatal hyperbilirubinemia with blue light phototherapy.
Description
A lamp or LED based system that emits specific wavelengths of light to convert unconjugated bilirubin into water soluble isomers that can be excreted without conjugation, reducing serum bilirubin levels in jaundiced neonates and preventing kernicterus. Phototherapy requires appropriate irradiance, exposure surface area, eye protection, and monitoring of bilirubin trends and hydration status; exchange transfusion is reserved for severe or refractory cases. Devices include overhead units and fiber optic blankets for flexible application, and protocols guide initiation thresholds based on gestational age and risk factors.