Medi Life New Born ICU Paediatric & NICU

Exchange Transfusion for very high Jaundice

• Exchange transfusion is a medical procedure used to treat severe neonatal jaundice, or hyperbilirubinemia, when bilirubin levels become dangerously high. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells, and very high levels can lead to neurological damage and even death if left untreated. Exchange transfusion involves slowly replacing the infant's blood with donor blood, removing the excess bilirubin and replacing it with blood that has a lower bilirubin concentration. This process helps to rapidly lower the overall bilirubin level, preventing the potentially devastating effects of kernicterus. Exchange transfusion is typically reserved for cases of severe, rapidly rising, or refractory hyperbilirubinemia that do not respond to other treatments, such as phototherapy. It is a complex procedure that requires careful monitoring and specialized expertise to ensure the infant's safety and well-being throughout the process.