Home Phototherapy		WHAT IS HOME PHOTOTHERAPY? Home phototherapy uses a special halogen light, which alters the bilirubin so that it becomes easier for your baby’s liver to get rid of it. Fiber optic lines run from the light source to a panel that comes close to your baby’s skin. These light panels are cool and safe for the use with your infant. WHY USE HOME PHOTOTHERAPY? Home phototherapy allows your baby to go home from the hospital. It is much better for all concerned that your infant is in a loving, secure environment that only a family can provide. It also costs much less than hospital based therapy. WHY CAN’T I USE SUNLIGHT? There are several potential problems with using sunlight: 1. The baby must be completely undressed. Newborns have immature systems and may not be able to keep their bodies warm enough under these circumstances. 2. Newborn babies have sensitive skin. They never should be put in direct sunlight, because they are easily sunburned. WILL THE LIGHT BOTHER MY BABY’S EYES? No. Home phototherapy units use light panels in blankets or on special beds. They do not shine on the baby’s eyes.
WHAT IS JAUNDICE? Jaundice is the yellowing of the skin that happens when too much bilirubin builds up in the baby’s blood. It can happen in babies of any race or color. WHAT IS BILIRUBIN? Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells. As a rule bilirubin passes through the liver and is excreted as bile through the intestines. Before birth the mother’s liver does this for the baby. WHAT IS HYPERBILIRUINEMIA? This is the medical term for a condition when too much bilirubin builds up in the baby’s blood. Most infants have a mild form, which clears up on its own within a few days as the newborn’s liver matures. CAN IT HURT MY BABY? In rare cases the bilirubin level rises high enough to cause concern among doctors, because it can be harmful to the baby. Caught in time, it is easily treated with phototherapy before it does any damage. More information: American Academy of Pediatrics	HOW LONG WILL MY BABY BE TREATED? Length of treatment varies. It can be as short as one day or as long as five days. Your doctor will decide what is right for your baby based on daily blood tests. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? The cost varies with the length and type of treatment ordered by your doctor. WILL MY INSURANCE COVER THE COSTS? Policies and deductibles vary, but most insurance companies will cover most or a portion of the costs. Check with your insurance carrier to be sure. WHAT CAN I EXPECT? On the first day a registered nurse will bring the equipment to your home, examine your baby, set up the unit, and answer all of your questions. She will report her observations to your pediatrician. On the second and all subsequent days a registered nurse will come to your home. She will examine the baby and take a blood sample, using the heelstick technique. This means she will use sterile equipment to make a tiny stick in the baby’s heel and collect 10 drops of blood. She will answer any questions that you have, and transport the blood sample to the hospital laboratory for analysis. Home Care of Newborns & Families, Inc. will call the lab results to your pediatrician and follow his or her orders for the next day of phototherapy.	I’VE HEARD OF A SINGLE AND A DOUBLE? WHAT ARE THEY AND WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? One light panel is a single and two are a double. Home Care of Newborns & Families, Inc. uses Medela bilibeds and Ohmeda biliblankets. Your pediatrician will decide which treatment your baby needs, based on many factors, including bilirubin levels, gestational age, and other causes of neonatal jaundice. CAN I HOLD AND NURSE MY BABY? Absolutely. That’s the beauty of home phototherapy. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers nurse all newborns at least eight to 12 times per 24-hour period and continue to do so during phototherapy. The nurse will show you how to do this without interrupting treatment. WHY DOES THE NURSE EXAMINE MY BABY ON EACH VISIT? It is important for the doctor to know your baby’s temperature, heart and respiratory rate, and feeding and excreting patterns to determine to course of therapy. WHO CAN I CALL WITH MY QUESTIONS? Call your pediatrician with questions relating to your baby’s condition and treatment.