Question
What are the possible side effects that may occur after a newborn with pathological jaundice receives blue light therapy? What should parents pay attention to after returning home from the hospital?
Answer
Generally, a newborn’s jaundice begins to naturally fade around half a month after birth, which is known as physiological jaundice. However, if jaundice appears early, is severe, or recurs after fading, it may be pathological jaundice. For pathological jaundice, it is usually necessary to find the cause in a timely manner and provide symptomatic treatment. Blue light therapy is an effective treatment method that can help jaundice fade quickly. But it is important to note that blue light therapy can potentially harm the eyes, so the baby’s eyes must be protected during treatment. Apart from that, the therapy usually has little impact on other aspects. After discharge, parents should ensure that the baby receives proper feeding and warmth to avoid other health issues such as colds.