Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a clinical condition characterized by a serum bilirubin concentration greater than 1.5 mg; according to the cause of this increase the treatments are determined; phototherapy is one of the most used measures to treat jaundice in newborns. Phototherapy involves the exposure of the newborn to a fluorescent light source.

Since the discovery of this therapeutic technique, several models have been proposed to control the action of light that affects the skin. It is accepted that the absorbed light degrades the bilirubin impregnated in the skin, transforming it into water-soluble derivatives that are subsequently eliminated from the body without previous need for hepatic conjugation. If administered approximately 30 to 35 microwatts/cm the bilirubin level may decrease up to 45 % in one day.

Why does neonatal jaundice occur?

Neonatal jaundice refers to yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes caused by the accumulation or deposition of bilirubin in newborns, caused by the destruction or lysis of red blood cells.  In newborns there are specific characteristics that alter the normal metabolism of bilirubin, since they have a higher volume of red blood cells with a shorter half-life; a lower concentration of albumin with lower affinity for bilirubin; a lower level of enzymes responsible for bilirubin conjugation; and an absence of intestinal bacteria with less conversion to urobilinoids, which makes it more difficult to excrete bilirubin, and therefore bilirubin begins to accumulate in the blood and deposit in mucous and tissue.

After birth, the number of red blood cells is no longer needed, so a large number of them are naturally destroyed, leading to an increase in free hemoglobin in the circulatory stream which is subsequently converted to indirect bilirubin through a series of biochemical reactions. Indirect bilirubin has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, generating neuronal damage when it is in excessive amounts due to its neuronal toxicity effect, causing permanent neurological sequelae in the patient, so the levels of this should be monitored under strict medical surveillance to identify neonates who may develop severe hyperbilirubinemia and neurological disorders caused by elevated levels of bilirubin.

What is phototherapy?

Phototherapy is a therapeutic technique in which the properties of light are used to reduce bilirubin levels. In this technique, it isomerizes to bilirubin, producing a new compound, lumirrubin, through an irreversible reaction and then at the level of the intestine this isomer is rapidly transformed to the primitive isomer; this through photooxidation reactions.

This technique results in the breakdown of bilirubin, thereby accelerating its excretion and thus decreasing its blood levels. It is important to note that the efficacy of phototherapy as a treatment against hyperbilirubinemia in newborns depends on factors such as: the intensity of the light emitted by the lamps used in the phototherapy units, have an emission spectrum close to that of the bilirubin absorption, the postnatal age of the newborn, gestation age, its birth weight, the cause of jaundice and the value of bilirubin at the beginning of treatment.

What does Kalstein offer you?

Kalstein is a company MANUFACTURER of medical and laboratory equipment of the highest quality and the best technology at the best PRICES in the market, so you can make your PURCHASE with us, knowing that you have the service and advice of a company specialized in the field and committed to provide you with safe, economical and effective options for the performance of your functions in the right way. In this opportunity we present our Child bilirubin phototherapy unit.

All newborn patients with hyperbilirubinemia need the best care for threatening jaundice. Our line of phototherapy products provides you with the reliability and stability of LED-light intensive phototherapy for your baby patient.

• The unit has a long life span providing 20,000 to 30,000 hours of light therapy.
• LED fluorescent lamp as radiant elements of phototherapy.
• The curing angle of the lamp can be adjusted horizontally.
• The height of the lamp head can be adjusted.
• The stainless steel bracket can be adjusted.
• Wheels can be locked
• Timer to record the phototherapy operation.
• Use in incubators, irradiant heat moses and any type of moses.
• The YR02194 unit with blue fluorescent tube has a separate frame that can be used with incubator, irradiant heat moses and any type of moses in family care.
• Widely applicable in all hospitals and clinics and optimized for babies with jaundice.

For more information we invite you to take a look : HERE