Phototherapy is used to treat hyperbilirubinemia, a common condition in infants, referring to an increase in the amount of bilirubin in the blood. It is characterized by jaundice, a yellowish discoloration of the skin. Phototherapy immerses the patient in a bath of fluorescent light, which breaks up and disperses the excess bilirubin. In the past, clinicians relied on phototherapy units which resembled tanning tables, with the infant placed on a surface illuminated by overhead fluorescent lights. This required the infant to be isolated for long periods of time, with protection pads to shield the eyes from the light.

With the development of flexible fluorescent panels, it was now possible to wrap the infant in the panel during treatment, without eye protection, and still allow the parent to hold the child during part or all of the therapy. This type of phototherapy unit is represented by the Healthdyne (Respironics) Wallaby units and the Ohmeda Billiblanket. Also available is the PEP Pep Light and the Medela BiliBed, both of which have fluorescent bulbs mounted inside a suitcase; the infant is placed directly into the open case for treatment.

Available phototherapy units:

Healthdyne Wallaby I, Wallaby II, and Wallaby III (FBWALLABY, FBWALLABYII, FBWALLABYIII)

Ohmeda Billi Blanket (OHBILLI BLANKET)

PEP Pep Light (ADPEP)

Medela BiliBed (MEDBILI)