Phototherapy For The Treatment Of Jaundice

Do all babies with jaundice need phototherapy?

If your baby has normal (physiological) jaundice, they don't need any special treatment.

If your baby's bilirubin level is high, phototherapy (bright light therapy) is the most commonly used treatment. It does not contain rays that would harm your baby. Phototherapy is very safe and effective and is only available in hospital. 

How does phototherapy work?

Phototherapy works by changing the bilirubin in the skin into a form that will not cause deafness or brain damage. Your baby needs phototherapy until the bilirubin level has dropped to a safer level. Your baby needs regular blood tests to measure the bilirubin level. Pēpi (babies) usually have phototherapy treatment for 48 hours but often longer for bilirubin levels that remain high.

The treatment works best when as much skin as possible is exposed to the light. Hospital staff will:

• undress your baby
• put your baby in an incubator to keep warm during the treatment
• cover your baby's eyes to shut out the bright light

Will my baby need any other treatment for jaundice?

Usually, phototherapy is the only medical treatment needed. A small number of pēpi with severe jaundice need blood transfusions to replace red blood cells that have been used up and to dilute out the bilirubin.

See the KidsHealth page on jaundice in babies for more information