Phototherapy for Jaundice.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

Is a big nono. I've said it before :soapbox: and I'll say it again. and I've hammered on about this for years, and everyone just blinks at me...

Never let them use this on your baby period.

While it might reduce the uric acid, and Bilirubin, it also reduces vitamin C, and vasly increases all the markers for total oxidant status and oxidative stress Index. Lipid peroxidation is markedly increased.

While the authors of this paper don't appear to know why, one of the many reasons is very simple. Stress. If they had checked the cortisol levels they might have been surprised at how high they would have been, but they seem to think that babies are like sausages, and just lie there inert. I believe that babies with eye pads on, and under lights, are totally freaking out inside...

That they might appear to be relaxed isn't necessarily an indicator that they are happy. they might be wilting from the heat too... Babies can be resigned to something, and yet losing it inside.

Call me a sop if you want.

The conclusion of this article says:

In conclusion, phototherapy has a negative impact on numerous parts of the oxidant/antioxidant defense system in newborn hyperbilirubinemic infants, exposing them to potent oxidative stress.

[Lexie]

Thank goodness I ignored the pediatrician and took matters into my own hands.

[gilima]

am grieving here.......ds had bilirubin 19 on day 3.....he received 1 day of "phototherapy" in the hospital...he was not relaxed and calm ....he hated it and thankfully we took him home the next day and they brought us "bili ights" to our home. at home he was only under the lights when he slept and also not all the time since he slept with me mostly. It took a little longer for the jaundice to come down since he was having difficulty nursing etc; I feel terrible, since, while I didn't like the billy lights I didn't think there was lasting damage to be done ......and with the ones used at home we didn't have to cover his eyes , so I thought they were o.k.
I guess I should have researched more....I was just overwhelmed at the time...

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

Phototherapy is unnecessary for healthy babies, but isn't likely to cause them more than discomfort and feeling abandonned... the only problem jaundice can cause for healthy babies is if the mother allowed herself to be pumped up with drugs which go through to the baby and take up biliverdin sites on haemoglobin. If that happens, then when the baby needs to process biliverdin, it can't because the drugs have used the sites it needs to do the job... but if that hasn't occurred, then breastfed babies should be able to handle jaundice. If parents was phototherapy, and there is sun, use that early in the morning, and late in the afternoon....

But hospital phototherapy is potentially really serious for babies with sepsis and other conditions whereby their need for vitamin C and onti-oxidants is crucial.

Don't feel bad about it. Use the experience to make sure that you don't let them pull the wool over your eyes again...