Effect of Bathing on Physiological Parameters, Skin, Bilirubin and Comfort Levels in Infants Receiving Phototherapy

Neonatal jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia) causes a yellowish discolouration of the sclera and skin due to increased levels of bilirubin in the blood. Jaundice develops in 60% of term babies and 80% of premature babies in the first week of life. Currently, the appropriate treatment option for neonatal jaundice is phototherapy. Phototherapy treatment reduces bilirubin concentrations through various photochemical reactions that allow bilirubin to be excreted more easily. However, phototherapy treatment is associated with short-term side effects including transient skin rashes, diarrhoea, hyperthermia and dehydration.

Physiological reasons such as the weak connection between the epidermis and dermis layer in the skin of the newborn, the pH value of the skin being close to neutral or alkaline, and the low melanosome production increase the susceptibility of the newborn to infection and skin damage. Invasive interventions, use of antiseptics, phototherapy and various instruments may disrupt the skin integrity of the newborn. Therefore, all newborns receiving treatment and care in the neonatal intensive care unit are at risk in terms of skin integrity.

In the majority of newborn infants; jaundice develops, which can affect the newborn neurologically, motor and hearing if left untreated,. Phototherapy devices are widely used today for the treatment of jaundice. Phototherapy devices used in the treatment of jaundice have side effects such as skin rashes, diarrhea, dehydration and hyperthermia. In the literature reviewed, results were found that bathing the newborn reduces phototherapy rashes, lowers the bilirubin level and increases the comfort of the newborn. Also in the literature; There are studies showing that one of the most suitable bathing methods for a newborn is bathtub bathing and that bathing with baby shampoo is not harmful to the newborn.