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I. Introduction:
Nearly 70% of term and 80% of preterm infants develop Jaundice during the First week of life. Jaundice is the frequent diagnosis and reason of post discharge readmission in any neonatal set-up. While hyperbilirubinemia occurs in all of them, Phototherapy as a treatment modality has become the backbone of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in the neonate. It's noninvasive in nature and have fewer side effects as reported until now.
II Definition:
Photo therapy consists of the application of fluorescent light to the infant's exposed skin, light promotes bilirubin excretion by photoisomerization which alters the structure of bilirubin to soluble form (humirubin) for easier excretion.
III. Nursing care and procedure for photo therapy:
1. Undress the baby completely.
2. The baby's eyes are shielded by an opaque mask to prevent exposure to the light.
3. The eye shield should be properly sized and correctly positioned to cover the eye completely but prevent any occlusion of the nares.
4. The baby's eyelids are closed before the mask is applied, because the corneas may become excoriated if they come in contact with the dressing.
5. On each nursing shift the eyes are checked for evidence of discharge, excessive pressure on the lids or corneal irritation.
6. Eye shields are removed during feedings, which provide the opportunity to provide visual and sensory stimulation.
7. During breastfeeding switch off the photo therapy unit.
8. Provide frequent breast feeding.
9. Turn the baby after each feed to expose maximum surface area of baby to light.
10. Keep baby at a distance of 45 cm from the light source.
11. A special light - permeable photo therapy diaper, or bikini diaper fashioned with a face mask may be used...