What is a key mechanism of phototherapy in treating neonatal jaundice?

The key mechanism of phototherapy in treating neonatal jaundice is photoisomerization. In this process, bilirubin, which is the substance responsible for jaundice, undergoes a transformation when exposed to specific wavelengths of light, particularly blue light.

Bilirubin in the skin of newborns is primarily in its unconjugated form, which is lipid-soluble and can cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially leading to toxic effects like kernicterus. When bilirubin is exposed to light during phototherapy, it is converted to more water-soluble isomers, making it easier for the body to excrete through urine and bile.

This transformation significantly reduces the levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood, helping to alleviate jaundice without the need for invasive interventions. The effectiveness of this treatment has established it as a standard practice for managing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Other mechanisms mentioned, such as strisomerization, photoreduction, and photooxidation, do not play a primary role in the phototherapy process for jaundice management. These terms may involve other biochemical processes but are not the central mechanisms utilized in phototherapy for newborns.