Patient's question:
My child has jaundice. What is the principle of blue light treatment for jaundice? How many days does this usually take?Doctor's answer:
Blue light therapy, also known as phototherapy, is a simple and effective method for reducing unconjugated bilirubin in the serum. It primarily converts lipid-soluble unconjugated bilirubin in newborn blood into water-soluble isomers through specific wavelengths of light, without requiring metabolic processing by the liver. The isomers are then easily excreted from the body through bile or urine, thereby lowering bilirubin levels. Jaundice, on the other hand, is caused by the accumulation of bilirubin in the body, leading to yellowing of the skin. Therefore, blue light therapy is one of the commonly used methods for treating jaundice.