Question
Lately, I’ve just given birth, but my baby has developed jaundice. The doctor at the hospital suggested that my baby undergo blue light therapy. Is there any harm in exposing the baby to blue light? I want to know if blue light therapy for newborn jaundice can only target the face.
Answer
Continuous or intermittent phototherapy treatments typically last for about 3-5 days, depending on the baby’s specific condition. During the phototherapy process, it is important to monitor for increased non-apparent water loss and symptoms such as fever, discomfort in the abdomen, and diarrhea, which are minor side effects of phototherapy. Just be cautious to protect the baby’s eyes and genitals when administering blue light therapy. So, there is no need to worry too much; the harm to the baby is very minimal.