PHOTOTHERA

PY
NEONATAL
 DEFINITION
o Phototherapy is a technique used in
neonates to reduce bilirubin levels in
the newborn.

o OBJECTIVE: Reduce bilirubin

through photo-oxidation at the skin
level, to be excreted through bile,
stool and urine.
 GUYS
o Simple continuous phototherapy:
phototherapy remains on 24 hours a day.
o Simple intermittent phototherapy:
consists of keeping the neonate for 4
hours with the phototherapy on and 4
hours off.
o Intensive double or triple phototherapy:
consists of introducing two or three
phototherapies respectively.
 MATERIALS
Human Resources:
or Doctor.
o Nursing staff.
Material resources
o Phototherapy equipment.
o Protective glasses
or Tape
o Aluminum foil
or Gauze.
o Incubator
o Pulse oximeter
PROCEDURE o Check
the equipment before use.
o The lamp should be
placed as close as
possible, about 30-40 cm
and never more than 50
cm because it loses its
effect.
o Undress the NB to
maintain the maximum
exposed body surface.
o Place radiopaque phototherapy glasses tailored
to the eyes, saving the nostrils to avoid
suffocation and prevent pressure on the eyelids.
They are used so that excessive light does not
cause damage to the retina.
o Protect the umbilical cord in case the route for
exchange transfusion is to be preserved.
o Protect the pulse oximeter from light with
aluminum foil to avoid erroneous measurement
results.
o Avoid the presence of objects that could
interfere with the optimal performance of
phototherapy.
COMPLICATIONS

o Tanning syndrome
or Diarrhea
o Retinal injury
o Conjunctivitis
or burns
o Dehydration
o Skin rashes
NURSING CARE
o Axillary temperature control every 3 hours.
o Change position every 3 - 4 hours to expose
all areas of the body to light, and not just one
part that could cause a burn.
o Interrupt phototherapy for as little time as
possible during feeding or other procedures.
o Remove glasses for visual-sensory
stimulation.
o Do not use creams or lotions.
o Monitor signs and symptoms.
o Control of vital functions.
o Observe for signs of dehydration or hypocalcemia.
o Diuresis control.
o Observe the characteristics of the stools (more
frequent, semi-liquid and greenish) and urine
(darker because it contains bilirubin degradation
products).
o Daily weight.
o Check that the incubator humidity is high since the
use of phototherapy increases the insensible losses
of the neonate.
o Regulate the temperature of the incubator as
necessary.

o Carry out periodic checks of serum bilirubin levels

according to medical indication.
o Support parents, reassure them and explain anything that
may cause them anxiety.
o Encourage breastfeeding every 2 – 3 hours
o Provide the mother with the opportunity to stay with the
newborn for breastfeeding
o Turn off phototherapy and remove the eye protector to
breastfeed the child.
o Complete the vaccination schedule.
o Artificial formula supplements will be given. Only if it is
proven that breast milk is the cause of jaundice is it
removed for 24-48 hours. We will inform the mother that
she must express milk regularly these days to maintain
lactation.
Fluorescent light