Final answer:
Phototherapy can be used as a treatment for infants with hyperbilirubinemia caused by hemolysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
In infants with hyperbilirubinemia caused by hemolysis, phototherapy can be used as a treatment.
Bilirubin is a product of erythrocyte breakdown and is processed by the liver. In newborns, a high concentration of bilirubin in the blood can cause jaundice, which can be neurotoxic and lead to brain damage. However, newborns do not yet have a fully functional blood-brain barrier, making them highly susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of bilirubin.
Phototherapy involves using UV light to break down bilirubin quickly. It helps to reduce the concentration of bilirubin in the blood and prevent brain damage in newborns with hyperbilirubinemia caused by hemolysis.
Phototherapy is a treatment option used for infants with hyperbilirubinemia, particularly when caused by hemolysis, to break down excess bilirubin and prevent serious complications like kernicterus. It involves UV light exposure that transforms bilirubin into water-soluble isomers for elimination. The Coombs' test can diagnose conditions like hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), and Rh-negative mothers can be given Rho(D) immune globulin to prevent HDN in future pregnancies.