Jaundice Treatment and Screening

Neonatal Jaundice

60% of term, and 80% of pre-term babies show signs of jaundice1. It’s important to know when and how to screen for it and to use gentle and effective phototherapy treatment when needed. On this page, you can discover different testing and treatment methods and learn when to use each one. Find out more about the concept of Phototherapy as a drug, about the recommendations of the latest AAP Guidelines, and about our effective newborn jaundice-related products. With the right tools and training, neonatal jaundice can be easily managed.

Infographic about neonatal jaundice

Information at a glance

Find out more about neonatal jaundice and its impact in our infographic, and learn about key facts and figures, as well as standard screening and treatment measures!

Knowing when and how to screen

What are the differences between the common TSB Test and a TcB Test? Take a look at our informative video and learn more about how to screen for jaundice, including what visual cues to look for and what tests to use.

Draeger Jaundice meter 106 on white background

Dräger Jaundice Meter JM-105

The Dräger Jaundice Meter JM-105 gives you consistent quality screening, cost-effectively delivered over the lifetime of the device. As a result you optimize the efficiency of your jaundice management program, which can help save time and money while delivering an exceptional standard of care. 

Efficient phototherapy treatment

Three important factors for effective phototherapy

When newborns are born with high bilirubin levels, they may require phototherapy treatment. But effective treatment means more than simply placing blue light above jaundiced babies. Watch this video to learn about which factors should be taken into consideration.

The importance of the right dosage of phototherapy

Phototherapy (PT) is commonly used to treat neonatal jaundice but there is substantial variation in the application of PT and the measured irradiance.1 To improve clinical outcome, Maisels demands that “we should apply the same therapeutic rigour to the use of phototherapy as we do to the use of a pharmacologic agents in the newborn".1

Watch this video to learn more about the importance of setting the right dosage of phototherapy.

1) Maisels et al. “An Approach to the Management of Hyperbilirubinemia in the Preterm Infant Less than 35 Weeks of Gestation.” Journal Of Perinatology 32 (June 7, 2012): 660.

Phototherapy as a drug paper

Phototherapy as a drug

In order to improve efficacy and safety in the treatment of neonatal jaundice, Lamola introduced a pharmacological perspective on the topic of phototherapy and the use of photons as a drug when prescribing phototherapy2.

Learn more on the concept of phototherapy as a drug, and on the recommendations of the latest AAP Guidelines of 2022.

2) Lamola AA. A Pharmacologic View of Phototherapy. Clin Perinatol. 2016 Jun;43(2):259-76. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2016.01.004. Epub 2016 Feb 15. PMID: 27235206.

Draeger Bililux front on white background - phototherapy light

BiliLux

The BiliLux is a compact and lightweight LED phototherapy light system for the treatment of neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. It provides superior phototherapy performance, fully complying to the  recommendations of the AAP Guideline 2022.  Furthermore, it offers individualised therapy with electronic documentation capabilities and the flexibility for seamless integration into practically every workplace.

Efficient jaundice management with the Dräger BiliLux

St. Mary’s Hospital in London was the first hospital to use our BiliLux LED-phototherapy light system. Senior Sister, Jeannine Pompon talks about how the BiliLux is helping them improve the jaundice management process – for both baby and caregiver.

Helpful tools and information

Jaundice Management: Research Study Tool
Jaundice-management-tool-thumbnail-9-11

Get up-to-date and consolidated links to jaundice screening and phototherapy information – such as research papers and guidelines – in one easy reference guide.

Protecting baby and yourself: phototherapy accessories
Phototherapy accessories information

Eye protection for the baby during phototherapy is a must – but what about everyone else in the NICU? Learn about our solutions for protecting baby, caregivers and parents during treatment.

Sample usage protocol for JM-105
Sample usage protocol for Dräger Jaundice Meter JM-105

Use this template to create a facility- or department-specific protocol for using the Dräger JM-105.

Creating a nurturing environment

Jaundice management in the NICU

Dr. Sunit Godambe tells us why jaundice management is an important part of a nurturing NICU environment – and why it brings advantages for both babies and parents.

Father sits with baby sleeping against his chest

Handout: help parents understand neonatal jaundice

Jaundice is extremely common in newborns. However, it can be a cause of anxiety for parents and families. This booklet explains jaundice in a simple way. Give it to the families of your little patients to help them worry less.

Related topics

Nurse monitors the amount of light reaching a premature baby in the NICU

NICU Lighting

Caregiver’s hand rests on premature baby in the NICU

Noise in the NICU

Premature baby is cared for in the NICU

Developmental Care

Get in touch with Dräger

Contact Us Hospital

Draeger Medical UK Ltd.

The Willows, Mark Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7BW

+44 (0) 1442 213 542

Call us from Mon - Thurs 8:30am - 5pm
Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm

Draeger Ireland Ltd.

Unit 2, 4075 Kingswood Road, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24

+353 (1) 428 6400

Call us from Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm

Get in touch with Dräger

Contact Us Hospital

Draeger Medical UK Ltd.

The Willows, Mark Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7BW

+44 (0) 1442 213 542

Call us from Mon - Thurs 8:30am - 5pm
Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm

Draeger Ireland Ltd.

Unit 2, 4075 Kingswood Road, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24

+353 (1) 428 6400

Call us from Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm