Jaundice: Why your baby may look yellow
Jaundice is a common condition that affects six out of 10 newborns, according to the March of Dimes. CNN learned more about infant jaundice from Dr. Anne Hansen, a neonatologist at Children's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. startclickprintexclude--> startclickprintexclude--> startclickprintexclude--> CNN: Many babies are treated with phototherapy. How does it work? Hansen: The way that works is it takes advantage of the fact that the bilirubin makes its way out of the blood and into the baby's skin. When the skin is exposed to a particular wavelength of light that is in the blue range of the spectrum, it transforms the bilirubin into another chemical that is harmless and easier for the baby to excrete. The phototherapy tends to be only needed for a couple of days and babies usually go home without any long-term medical concerns. |
