Phototherapy is a therapeutic measure that is carried out through phototherapy units, equipment that uses electromagnetic radiation (light) for the treatment of neonatal jaundice, in order to reduce the severity of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The administration of phototherapy will depend on bilirubin levels, age of life, gestational age at birth, birth weight, cause of jaundice and clinical status of the newborn.
An infant bilirubin phototherapy unit is a medical instrument commonly consisting of 4 blue light tubes and 2 white light tubes, and a cover or shield that protects the newborn in case of breakage of the tubes and ultraviolet light. The blue tubes are placed in the center and the white tubes on the sides. At present, these phototherapy lamps are made up of fluorescent and LED bulbs used for neonatal treatment.