Bili light

Infant undergoing bili light therapy in a United States maternity ward.

A bili light[1] is a light therapy tool to treat newborn jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia). High levels of bilirubin can cause brain damage (kernicterus), leading to cerebral palsy, auditory neuropathy, gaze abnormalities and dental enamel hypoplasia. The therapy uses a blue light (420-470 nm) that converts bilirubin into a form that can be excreted in the urine and feces. Soft eye shields are placed on the babies to protect their eyes from damage that may lead to retinopathy due to the bili lights.


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