BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuBili lightsPhototherapy for jaundice; Bilirubin - bili lights; Neonatal care - bili lights; Newborn care - bili lightsBili lights are a type of light therapy (phototherapy) that is used to treat newborn jaundice. Jaundice is a yellow coloring of the skin and eyes. It is caused by too much of a yellow substance called bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is created when the body replaces old red blood cells with new ones. Newborn jaundiceNewborn jaundice occurs when a baby has a high level of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance that the body creates when it replac...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Information Phototherapy involves shining fluorescent light from the bili lights on bare skin. 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. The baby is turned frequently. The health care team carefully notes the infant's temperature, vital signs, and responses to the light. They also note how long the treatment lasted and the position of the light bulbs. The baby may become dehydrated from the lights. Fluids may be given through a vein during treatment.Blood tests are done to check the bilirubin level. When the level has dropped enough, phototherapy is complete.Some infants receive phototherapy at home. In this case, a nurse visits daily and draws a sample of blood for testing.Treatment depends on 3 things:Gestational age Gestational ageGestation is the period of time between conception and birth. During this time, the baby grows and develops inside the mother's womb. Gestational ag...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bilirubin level in the blood Newborn's age (in hours) In severe cases of increased bilirubin, an exchange transfusion may be done instead. Exchange transfusionExchange transfusion is a potentially life-saving procedure that is done to counteract the effects of serious jaundice or changes in the blood due to...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesGolden WC, Watchko JF. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus. In: Gleason CA, Sawyer T, eds. Avery's Diseases of the Newborn. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 72.Kaplan M, Wong RJ, Burgis JC, Sibley E, Stevenson DK. Neonatal jaundice and liver diseases. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, Walsh MC, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 91.Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM. Anemia and hyperbilirubinemia. In: Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM, eds. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 62.AllVideoImagesTogBili lights - illustration Using bili lights is a therapeutic procedure performed on newborn or premature infants to reduce elevated levels of bilirubin. If blood levels of bilirubin become too high, the bilirubin begins to dissolve in the body tissues, producing the characteristic yellow eyes and skin of jaundice. Bilirubin also has an affinity for brain tissue, where it can accumulate and cause permanent brain damage.Bili lightsillustrationBili lights - illustration Using bili lights is a therapeutic procedure performed on newborn or premature infants to reduce elevated levels of bilirubin. If blood levels of bilirubin become too high, the bilirubin begins to dissolve in the body tissues, producing the characteristic yellow eyes and skin of jaundice. Bilirubin also has an affinity for brain tissue, where it can accumulate and cause permanent brain damage.Bili lightsillustrationRelated Information Newborn jaundice(Condition)Newborn jaundice - discharge(Discharge) Review Date: 11/6/2023 Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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Bili lightsPhototherapy for jaundice; Bilirubin - bili lights; Neonatal care - bili lights; Newborn care - bili lightsBili lights are a type of light therapy (phototherapy) that is used to treat newborn jaundice. Jaundice is a yellow coloring of the skin and eyes. It is caused by too much of a yellow substance called bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is created when the body replaces old red blood cells with new ones. Newborn jaundiceNewborn jaundice occurs when a baby has a high level of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance that the body creates when it replac...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Information Phototherapy involves shining fluorescent light from the bili lights on bare skin. 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. The baby is turned frequently. The health care team carefully notes the infant's temperature, vital signs, and responses to the light. They also note how long the treatment lasted and the position of the light bulbs. The baby may become dehydrated from the lights. Fluids may be given through a vein during treatment.Blood tests are done to check the bilirubin level. When the level has dropped enough, phototherapy is complete.Some infants receive phototherapy at home. In this case, a nurse visits daily and draws a sample of blood for testing.Treatment depends on 3 things:Gestational age Gestational ageGestation is the period of time between conception and birth. During this time, the baby grows and develops inside the mother's womb. Gestational ag...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bilirubin level in the blood Newborn's age (in hours) In severe cases of increased bilirubin, an exchange transfusion may be done instead. Exchange transfusionExchange transfusion is a potentially life-saving procedure that is done to counteract the effects of serious jaundice or changes in the blood due to...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesGolden WC, Watchko JF. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus. In: Gleason CA, Sawyer T, eds. Avery's Diseases of the Newborn. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 72.Kaplan M, Wong RJ, Burgis JC, Sibley E, Stevenson DK. Neonatal jaundice and liver diseases. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, Walsh MC, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 91.Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM. Anemia and hyperbilirubinemia. In: Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM, eds. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 62.