Newborns are sometimes treated with fluorescent lights for what condition?

Newborns are often treated with fluorescent lights for physiologic jaundice, which is a common condition in infants. This condition occurs when there is an excess of bilirubin in the bloodstream due to the immaturity of the liver. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that results from the breakdown of red blood cells. In healthy newborns, this buildup typically resolves on its own as the liver matures and becomes better at processing bilirubin.

The fluorescent lights used in this treatment emit a specific wavelength of blue light, which helps convert bilirubin into a form that can be more easily excreted by the body. This phototherapy effectively reduces bilirubin levels, preventing complications such as kernicterus, which can occur if bilirubin levels become too high.

The conditions listed in the other choices do not specifically require this type of light therapy for treatment. While umbilical hernias and congenital anomalies may need medical intervention, they are not treated with phototherapy. Respiratory distress syndrome is typically managed through oxygen support and other means, but again, not with fluorescent light therapy. Thus, the correct answer reflects the specific treatment method used for managing physiologic jaundice in newborns.