What is a Biliblanket?
A Bili Blanket is a portable phototherapy device consisting of a fiber-optic pad and a portable illuminator for the treatment of neonatal jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia) in the home. The light emitted from biliblanket is used to break up bilirubin in the baby’s blood, reducing the yellowing effect in baby’s skin and whites of the eyes.
While using this system parents can still hold, feed and play with their child. The Biliblanket is a flexible wand with a disposable sleeve that wraps around the baby’s mid-section to provide maximum coverage during phototherapy treatment. Blue light comes through the sleeve, which reduces dangerous bilirubin levels.
Neonatal Jaundice
Hyperbilirubinemia, or neonatal jaundice, is where a newborn infant bilirubin levels are elevated within the bloodstream. Typically elevated bilirubin levels symptoms are lethargy, poor sucking reflex, fever, and even apnea. Normally you will begin to notice jaundice in the face and spread to other extremities. Left untreated, elevated bilirubin levels have long-term effects like permanent brain damage.
When a baby has signs of jaundice, the physician’s office will complete blood work to determine the bilirubin levels. Bilirubin levels between 10-15 mg/dL are effectively treated at home with a Biliblanket.
Pediacare Medical delivers the equipment and helps parents bill insurance; we are approved by Medicaid and many private insurances to provide Biliblanket equipment at little or no cost to you. By providing your newborn with a Biliblanket, you can avoid a hospital admission while still providing the same care.
In all cases, the quick and effective use of a biliblanket can help a baby have a swift recovery. If you’re concerned about jaundice, call the pediatrician immediately. If your baby needs phototherapy, most pediatricians’ offices have biliblankets on consignment. You’ll go home with one so you can start treatment as soon as possible.
If you’re a pediatrician interested in consigning biliblankets from Pediacare, contact us here.
The illuminator box may get hot, but there is no heat transferred through the Bili Blanket’s fiber optic cable to the light panel, so no heat will come in contact with the baby.
Treatment time varies from baby to baby, and your doctor will prescribe the amount of time based on the level of bilirubin in your child’s blood. Average treatment time is 24 hours a day (except bathing) for two to four days. Parents should not use the baby’s skin color as a judgment for the severity of jaundice; rather your physician looks at blood tests to determine the exact levels of bilirubin.
Yes! You will want to wait for the machine light to cool before moving, as moving a hot light can cause the bulb to break. Turn the unit off and let it sit for 10 minutes to cool down before moving.
Yes, you can hold and feed your baby without interrupting phototherapy treatment. You can continue with all of your baby’s normal routines while your baby receives treatment-except for bathing when the Bili Blanket will need to be removed.
The two main options that we offer are the Philips BiliTX and the Wallaby 3 Phototherapy system. Both are top of the line products in the field of phototherapy.