Can bilirubin go up after phototherapy?

It is not unusual for babies to still appear jaundiced for a period of time after phototherapy is completed. Bilirubin levels may rise again 18 to 24 hours after stopping phototherapy. Although rare, this requires follow-up for those who may need more treatment.

Does bilirubin increase after decreasing?

This happens because newborns have more blood cells than adults do. These blood cells don’t live as long, so more bilirubin is made when they break down.

When do you recheck bilirubin after phototherapy?

The authors conclude that it is not necessary to keep infants in the hospital to check for rebound serum bilirubin levels in infants treated with phototherapy. They do recommend repeat serum bilirubin checks 24 hours after discharge to identify the small group of infants who have significant rebound in these levels.

How fast can bilirubin levels drop with phototherapy?

The overall rate of decrease in the bilirubin concentration for the duration of exposure to phototherapy was as follows: group 1, 0.8\%+/-0.3\% per hour; group 2, 0.6\%+/-0.3\% per hour; and group 3, 0.8\%+/-0.3\% per hour.

What is a common adverse effect of phototherapy?

Phototherapy is a valuable therapeutic tool in Dermatology, but there may be drawbacks. Acute and long-term adverse effects, of variable severity, include skin erythema, xerosis, pruritus, blistering, altered pigmentation, photoaging, and photocarcinogenesis.

What causes bilirubin to rebound?

Risk factors for postphototherapy neonatal bilirubin rebound include a positive Coombs test, prematurity, and treatment at or before 72 hours. Guidelines for monitoring plasma bilirubin levels in term infants after phototherapy are largely empirical.

Is phototherapy safe for newborns?

Generally, phototherapy is very safe and may have no serious long-term effects in neonates; however, the following adverse effects and complications have been noted: Insensible water loss may occur, but data suggest that this issue is not as important as previously believed.

When should bilirubin be repeated?

During therapy, continue breast-feeding, repeat bilirubin measurement 4 to 6 hours after initiating therapy and every 6 to 12 hours when the serum bilirubin level is stable or falling, and do not give additional fluids or feedings routinely.

Does phototherapy cure jaundice?

Phototherapy is treatment with a special type of light (not sunlight). It’s sometimes used to treat newborn jaundice by lowering the bilirubin levels in your baby’s blood through a process called photo-oxidation. Photo-oxidation adds oxygen to the bilirubin so it dissolves easily in water.

Can phototherapy be harmful?

What is the cost of phototherapy?

Questions & Answers on Phototherapy Unit