Bilibed gift for Arbroath Maternity
May 14, 2008
Radio Tay's 'Cash for Kids' charity (formerly known as 'Caring for Kids') has awarded Arbroath Maternity Unit with £2000 for a Bilibed.
This portable phototherapy treatment delivers light therapy to newborn babies with jaundice without the need for the baby to be admitted to a specialist hospital. The Bilibed system fits into cots and there is no light glare as the light source is in its base.
Bilirubin, one of the body's waste products, is produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. If the body cannot get rid of the bilirubin quickly enough, it can be deposited in places such as the skin, turning it a yellow colour. Jaundice is common in newborn babies as they have slightly raised bilirubin levels and immature livers. Usually this disappears naturally within a couple of weeks, but phototherapy treatment is recommended within the first seven days where there are signs or concerns that this may not happen.
Midwives Chris Field, Val Parker and Susan Robertson from Arbroath Maternity Unit received their cheque for £2000 at a Cash for Kids awards evening in the Invercarse Hotel, Dundee. Team leader Chris Field commented, "We are very grateful to Cash for Kids for this funding which will enable local babies to receive phototherapy treatment whilst remaining close to their mums and avoiding the need to be transferred to Ninewells Hospital."
Comments (0)
No comments.
