How is hyperbilirubinemia treated in newborns?

Hyperbilirubinemia in newborns, commonly referred to as jaundice, occurs when there is an excess of bilirubin in the blood. The primary treatment method for this condition is phototherapy. This treatment involves exposing the newborn to a specific type of light, which helps to change the structure of bilirubin in the skin, allowing it to be excreted more easily by the liver. The light therapy effectively breaks down the bilirubin into forms that can be eliminated from the body without requiring the liver to process them through more complex means.

Phototherapy is preferred because it is non-invasive, effective, and suitable for most mild to moderate cases of hyperbilirubinemia. In more severe cases, additional treatments such as exchange transfusions might be considered, but phototherapy remains the cornerstone of managing bilirubin levels in newborns.

Other treatment options mentioned are less effective or not directly related to the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia. Medication might not specifically address the bilirubin levels effectively, increased fluid intake tends to be supportive but does not act on decreasing bilirubin levels, and immediate surgery is not a standard treatment for hyperbilirubinemia, as it does not address the underlying enzymatic functions resulting in elevated bilirubin.