Final answer:
The use of fluorescent 'bili lights,' not radiant heaters, is correct for the treatment of jaundice to reduce high levels of bilirubin in the body. The process known as phototherapy helps to convert bilirubin to a form that can be excreted, thus treating the yellow discoloration associated with jaundice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that 'all parts of the body may contain bilirubin deposits and should be exposed to the light,' while not entirely true, is a reference to the treatment of jaundice, where certain parts of the body are illuminated with fluorescent light to reduce bilirubin levels. This process is known as phototherapy. However, the use of radiant heaters is generally not recommended as they can cause dehydration and burn the baby's skin. Instead, a special form of fluorescent light source, known as 'bili lights,' is used. These lights help convert bilirubin in the skin into more water-soluble forms that can be excreted by the baby's body.
Jaundice, or icterus, results from the accumulation of hemoglobin degradation products, with bilirubin being the primary pigment causing the yellow discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes. The normal concentration of bilirubin is less than 1 mg/100ml. Hyperbilirubinemia is when blood levels exceed this amount, and jaundice becomes visible when concentrations reach about 2 mg/100 ml or higher.
The liver plays a crucial role in breaking down and excreting bilirubin, as it converts bilirubin into a water-soluble form by conjugation with glucuronic acid. This soluble form is then excreted into the intestines and eventually out of the body in the feces, giving it a brown color due to stercobilin, or in the urine, giving it a yellow color due to urobilins.