starciv14

starciv14 t1_jch3qkp wrote

Ok I'm a float nurse but I work mom baby often enough to answer this.

This would be done in a panda baby warmer or equivalent, which is very comfortable for baby.

Blood tests are sent to check bilirubin level. You can simply trend labs and stop the light when it's appropriate. We know the light we use doesn't harm babies when used appropriately. We have to draw blood for many other reasons in the first 24 hours of life, so yes it's an extra heel stick or 2 for the baby.

I'm not saying we shouldn't do better and optimize here, but I just wanted to communicate that neonatal jaundice happens a lot and it's pretty easily solved the overwhelming majority of the time, unless the kiddo has something very serious going on. My little rural hospital has been doing this easily for a decade

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