Final answer:
The correct technique to treat an infant with elevated bilirubin levels is phototherapy, which uses UV light to break down the excess bilirubin in the blood and reduce the risk of jaundice and potential brain damage in newborns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The technique used to treat an infant with an increase of bilirubin levels is phototherapy. Jaundice, or icterus, is a condition that can occur in newborns due to an accumulation of bilirubin, a breakdown product of erythrocytes. When the liver, which processes bilirubin, cannot efficiently handle it, the bilirubin concentration in the blood can rise, leading to a yellow discoloration of the tissues known as jaundice. Normal bilirubin levels are typically less than 1 mg/100ml of blood, but with hyperbilirubinemia, levels can increase significantly. Phototherapy, which involves exposing the infant to UV light, aids in breaking down bilirubin in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of brain damage that can result from high bilirubin levels. This is crucial in infants who do not have a fully developed blood-brain barrier and are vulnerable to the toxic effects of excessive bilirubin.