A Better Therapy for Babies

Jaundice is the most common cause of rehospitalization of infants after birth and affects millions of newborns each year. Caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood, it will cause brain damage if left untreated.

The most common treatment is phototherapy, which separates an infant from his or her mother and thus inhibits breastfeeding, parent-child interaction, and skin-to-skin contact.

But a cross-disciplinary team of RMU nursing and engineering students identified a solution: A neonatal gown designed with a blue LED light that provides the needed phototherapy while allowing for direct contact between mother and child.