Neonatal jaundice results when a newborn baby's liver is not working fully to remove a particular waste product. Treatment involves placing the infant under a blue light, which reacts with the waste product and converts it to a form that the kidney can excrete. What is this waste product called?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bilirubin is a waste product that results from the breakdown of red blood cells. It is usually processed by the liver, but in newborns, the liver may not be mature enough to handle the excess bilirubin, leading to jaundice. Blue light therapy helps to convert bilirubin into a water-soluble form that can be excreted by the kidneys. Hemoglobin, erythropoietin, and oxyhemoglobin are not waste products, but rather important components of the blood.

Neonatal Jaundice Results When a Newborn Baby's Liver Is Not