albertspick.com albertspick.com
Main >> About Us >> Add Your Link >> Privacy Policy >> Terms & Conditions >> Submit Article
Search:   
Add Url
 
 

Malls & Shopping
 

Recreation & Entertainment
 

Academics & Education
 

Fashion & Relationships
 

Law & Politics
 

Science & Research
 

Culture & Art
 

People & Society
 

Issues & News
 

Banking & Finance
 

Estate & Realty
 

Hygiene & Health
 

Jobs & Careers
 

Sports & Adventure
 

Automobile & Automotive
 

Travel & Accommodation
 

Medical Care
 

Cooking & Drinking
 

Children & Teens
 

Games & Play
 

Business & Commerce
 

Family & Home
 

Computers & Networking
 

Self Help
 

Main –› Family & Home –› New Born
 

Phototherapy and Jaundice in Your Premature Baby
 

  • "Phototherapy" is the medical term used for treating disorders of the skin such as jaundice by using ultraviolet and infrared radiation. "Photo" is from the Greek word "photos" meaning light, and "therapy" is from the Greek word "therapies" meaning to treat medically. A premature baby often needs this special kind of light treatment because preemies are often afflicted with jaundice. Jaundice is a condition that must be treated by medical interventions such as bililights, biliblankets and exchange transfusion. If severe jaundice is left untreated, it causes brain damage to the premature baby.

  • "Jaundice" is a yellowish discoloration caused by bile salts depositing in the tissues of the whites of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. It is a normal process for the body to break down red blood cells creating bilirubin. However, a premature baby will develop jaundice when their bilirubin level is too high, and the immature liver of a preemie is not efficient enough to remove the bilirubin from the bloodstream. Special lights (bililights) are able to penetrate a preemie's skin and break down the bilirubin in the blood turning it into lumirubin.

  • "Phototherapy lights" (bililights) are lights specifically designed to put out wavelengths of light from the blue part of the light spectrum. The chemical reaction occurring changes bilirubin to lumirubin, and this changed from is harmless to the premature baby allowing it to pass from her body. While your premature baby is receiving phototherapy light treatments, her eyes will be covered by a mask or cloth shielding them from direct exposure to light that may not be good for her eyes. Phototherapy treatment usually lasts from a week to ten days.

  • A "Biliblanket" is a fiber optic blanket that may be used instead of bililights and is just as effective. The biliblanket has a fiber optic pad delivering microwatts of therapeutic light, and it can be taken home to use if necessary. The advantage of using a biliblanket for your premature baby is that it allows more surface exposure to the lights, it is easier to use, eye covering is not necessary, and phototherapy is not interrupted during feeding and bonding.

  • "Exchange transfusion, substitution transfusion, or total transfusion" is the process of removing most of the blood from your premature baby's body, while at the same time substituting it with equal amounts of donor blood. When bilirubin levels are too high, it becomes very dangerous for your baby. The best course of action is to replace your premature baby's blood with donor blood with no bilirubin in it.

    		•
    Author: Sjona Lindquist
     
    Author Bio:

    Sjona Lindquist

    Sjona Lindquist is a mom of 6 (1 angel) and she owns and operates BabyLinq.com ~ Preemie Store. BabyLinq.com ~ Preemie Store is a resource site and specialty shop for parents of premature babies. Lindquist's daughter was stillborn from a Strep B infection due to PROM (Premature Rupture of Membranes).

    In honor of her daughter, Michaela, she offers preemie support, bereavement support, and preemie clothes. Many parents of premature babies have benefited from her research, products, and her drive to providing excellence in all she does. Her desire is to relieve some of the pressure that parents of preemies face today by helping them educate themselves for this new life of parenting a premature baby.

    Sjona lives in upstate South Carolina with her husband Matthew, her 2 living daughters, and her 3 sons.
     
     
     

    Related Articles
     
    Knitting with a Machine? ? Beware of the Twist!
     
    Black Mold Removal ? Can You Do It Yourself?
     
    Does Not Being Able To Find Hoover Vacuum Bags Drive You Crazy?
     
    How To Choose The Right Lawnmower For Your Garden Lawn
     
    Art Collecting Tips
     
    Are Your Parenting Skills Good Enough?
     
    Lost and Found (A Valentine's Day Story)
     
    A Father's Thoughts On Bottle Feeding
     
    Decorating for Renters - Part 1 Getting Started
     
    Lawnmower Maintenance Tips That Help Produce The Best Lawns
     
     
     
     
     

    Animal Massage Therapy Extended My Old Dog's Life and Gave Him Less Pain and More Comfort

    The time had come for me to make a sad decision about my old dog. Animal massage therapy allowed me ... - Kelvyn Peters
     

    Hobby Metal Casting & How To Make A Start

    I know for a fact that there are many readers of the Hot Metal ezine who are eager to learn how to g ... - Colin Croucher
     

    Are You Listening To Your Cat Talking?

    Is your cat talking to you? Many cat lovers claim that their feline pets talk to them. They believe ... - Larry Chamberlain
     
     

    Posture and Pregnancy

    Many of the discomforts experienced by pregnant women can be related to poor posture. The extra weig ... - Richard Lane
     

    How to Make First Birthday Invitations Really Special

    First birthday invitations should be special and worthy of the occasion. The recipients should be ab ... - Trevor Mulholland
     
     
    Main >> Privacy Policy >> Terms & Conditions
    © 2008 www.albertspick.com All Rights Reserved.