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New Bilirubin Test Puts Parents, Babies at Ease
an article from the Spring 2007 issue of...
When most of us think of newborns, we think of soft, cuddly blankets and warm, fuzzy socks. Unfortunately, a lifesaving procedure to diagnose newborn jaundice can be anything but soft, cuddly, warm and fuzzy. But, at Harbor Hospital, our compassionate staff has started using the Bili-Check, a procedure that eliminates the pain associated with diagnosing newborn jaundice.
Jaundice and the Newborn
Jaundice occurs when a substance called bilirubin builds up in the baby’s blood, often because the liver is immature and cannot remove it fast enough. This buildup causes the baby’s skin to turn yellow.
Most babies develop mild jaundice. But if the bilirubin level gets too high and is not treated, it can cause brain damage. That’s why Harbor Hospital checks all babies for jaundice and performs further testing on those who appear to have it.
No More Pain
The traditional bilirubin test involves drawing blood from the newborn’s heel. “This can be painful for baby and upsetting to new parents,” said Terry Mangini, RN, patient care coordinator of the Special Care Nursery.
The Bili-Check, however, does not require a heel stick. “Instead, the nurse presses a small device called a monometer to the baby’s forehead, which gives a bilirubin reading within seconds,” Mangini explained. If the level is out of the normal range, the newborn is given the traditional blood test, which gives more specific information.
“The Bili-Check also allows us to diagnose jaundice sooner — within 48 hours of birth,” Mangini said. “Early diagnosis is key to avoiding complications.”
The Bili-Check currently is used on babies in the Special Care Nursery. Soon it will be available to all babies born at Harbor Hospital.
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