Thanks for that information Lois, My understanding was that we
needed 620 NM of light waves for effectiveness. Johnson says "
exposing the baby's skin to sunlight".. does this mean direct
through the glass or indirect through the glass or direct sunshine or
indirect near the window? As you say, it is very difficult to
quantify the number of nanometers in the various seasons in
Australia. I also wonder if we haven't been seduced into being a
bit paranoid about jaundice? What is the range of nanometers of
the bililights that are currently used for treatment? When I was
researching it for my research proposal, the research seemed to be going
away from the causes of jaundice and the simple solutions, into the area
of drug control of SBRs. That area doesn't seem to have
taken off and I wonder what the latest research says? MM
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2003
12:56 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Sun
baths
Hi again - interesting to get info related to
the northern hemisphere.. (thanks Debbie and Marilyn), compared to
Australia.
I revisited my text books
before posting my bit on ozmid about natural light for
treating physiological jaundice - just to check my facts. The
use of natural light this way is mentioned in PGB. Johnston's
book "The Newborn Child" (my text from my mid studies) pp181,and
187. Johnson states "exposing the baby's skin to sunlight
effectively reduces the bilirubin level but is impractical for
treatment in the UK."
Regarding the specific lighting requirement -
"exposing the skin to blue light of wavelength 400-500 nm and in
an intensity of 4-10 microwatts/cm2 converts the bilirubin in the
superficial capillaries to harmless water soluble metabolites
which are then excreted in the urine and bowel". I don't know
how to quantify/measure the nm's of natural daylight in various states
or seasons in Australia, however I don't think it's
necessary. The value of exposure to INDIRECT 'white'
daylight in a well lit room to convert
unconjugated bilirubin into conjugated water soluble bilirubin
for excretion is well documented. Exposure of the head and
shoulders, maybe chest in a temperature-controlled
environment is usually sufficient to stimulate the process, in
combination with frequent feeding.
Home and hospital rooms vary in how much
light they get, but often it's only a matter of rearranging where the
baby is located in the room which makes the difference. I'm sure
there are hospital midwives out there who encourage women to put their
baby's cot on the opposite side of the bed just to take advantage of
the natural light in the room to minimise or treat physiological
jaundice the natural way, just as I did when I worked in the
hospitals. Attention to this type
of early treatment will save many babies
from the heel pricks for SBR collections ('just to check'),
and possibly from separation and Mothers' associated anxiety,
interuptions to feedings and so on related to artificial
phototherapy. Just my two bob's worth!
Cheers, Lois
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2003
2:37 PM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] Sun
baths
Lois wrote:
Hi Tina, my
understanding is that normal bright 'white' daylight in a well lit
room is adequate to facilitate the conversion of bilirubin in it's
fat soluble form stored in the tissue, to the water soluble form,
which is then returned to the bloodstream for processing
through the GI system for excretion.
I was always told
just to put babies in a well-lit room (and this was in the lukewarm
sunlight of the northern hemisphere - London to be
exact).
This is just from a mother's
perspective.
Debbie
Slater