Final answer:
Phototherapy is used to decrease hyperbilirubinemia, but it is unrelated to retinopathy of prematurity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is false. Phototherapy is indeed used to decrease hyperbilirubinemia, which is a condition characterized by high levels of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced when red blood cells are broken down, and it is usually metabolized by the liver. However, in some infants, the liver may not be fully developed or functioning properly, leading to the buildup of bilirubin. Phototherapy involves exposing the baby's skin to specific wavelengths of light, which helps to break down the bilirubin and promote its elimination from the body. Retinopathy of prematurity, on the other hand, is an eye disorder that can affect premature infants and is unrelated to phototherapy.