Biliblanket

A biliblanket is a portable phototherapy device for the treatment of Neonatal jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia). BiliBlanket is a trademark of General Electric's Datex-Ohmeda subsidiary, but its catchy name has become the generic, colloquial term for a range of similar products and that's the term used in the medical professions. The name is an obvious combination of bilirubin and blanket. Other names used are home phototherapy system, bilirubin blanket, or phototherapy blanket.

Biliblankets offer the possibility of treating some degrees of jaundice at home as long as the baby is otherwise healthy. This makes them quite popular with parents, doctors, and insurance companies, who would otherwise have to pony up for inpatient treatment. Since the newborn does not have to be separated from its mother and father and doesn't need to lie by itself in a box with its eyes covered, it's a fair guess that it suits the baby, too. The baby is tied to the machine, unless they can wheel it around, and there's is a stiff pad between mother and baby. Moms tend to hate it about as much as you can hate a lesser evil.

Phototherapy for jaundice involves a blue/white light of varying intensity placed close to the skin or touching it through a special, light-permeable fabric.

The whole setup consists of the light generator, termed the light box, the fibre-optic cable through which the light is carried and the light pad, which is a 25cmx13cm (10"x5") pad that's attached to the baby. Home phototherapy is not dangerous and reports suggesting that babies have been burned by biliblankets have turned out to be myths.

Competing products

Ohmeda BiliBlanket

The original line from the early 1990s. Its current incarnation is sturdy and easy to lug about. The baby is attached to the pad using a paper harness, or it is just placed loose under the clothing. Wearing this blanket has been said to make a child look like a little green alien with a type of yellow harness.

* [http://www.gehealthcare.com/euen/maternal-infant-care/products/phototherapy/biliblanket_plus.html Official site]

Healthdyne Wallaby

Older Wallabies are pretty heavy and quite noisy. On the other hand, the Wallaby does have a nice, long cable that gives mom and baby more freedom of movement. Newer models are comparable to the Ohmeda's newer versions and functionally they're pretty much the same. Healthdyne is owned by Respironics, better known for sleep apnea devices.

Olympic Medical Bili-Lite Pad

The Olympic is a meaner-looking device that does pretty much the same job as the above two machines, though it doesn't have a variable light level. Nice light but more primitive, simple design.

hould you use home phototherapy?

Your doctor will tell you whether you should or not but this option may be easier and more convenient for both parents and child since it can be set up in your own nurturing home compared to leaving your baby in the hospital. Research indicates that there is no difference in the therapeutic effects of biliblankets compared to static hospital equipment. Local medical equipment suppliers and home health providers will typically deliver the blanket and either arrange pickup or let you take it back when you're done with it. It's uncommon to buy one since acquiring a new home phototherapy system will probably set you back $4000 or more.