ABSTRACT
Background: The most commonly used light sources in the conventional phototherapy units are compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), halogen spotlights and fiberoptic blankets. Recently light emitting diodes (LED) has emerged as better light source for phototherapy and almost replacing all the available conventional light sources. Comparative studies on the efficacy of LED versus conventional phototherapy are limited from India. That is why; this study was undertaken.Methods: 48 neonates of ≥35 weeks gestational age with hyperbilirubinemia were participated in this study. Among them, 24 neonates received conventional phototherapy and rest of them received LED phototherapy. The rate of fall of bilirubin levels at 6 hours and at completion along with total duration of phototherapy in both groups was measured. Results analysed by standard statistical methods.Results: LED phototherapy units showed higher rate of fall in bilirubin at six hrs (LED group: 0.38±0.05 mg/dl/hr versus conventional group: 0.30±0.04 mg/dl/hr, p<0.05) and after completion of therapy (LED group: 0.32±0.03 mg/dl/hr versus conventional group: 0.26±0.03 mg/dl/hr, p<0.05) compared to conventional group. Significant difference was documented in total duration of phototherapy in LED group (30.8±1.8 hours) when compared to conventional group (34.6±0.7 hours). None of the neonate showed phototherapy failure. Side effects were minimal and comparable in both the groups.Conclusions: The LED phototherapy units are more efficacious in terms of higher rate of fall of bilirubin levels and lesser duration of phototherapy compared to conventional phototherapy units.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We performed this study in order to compare the feasibility and efficacy of the fiberoptic phototherapy with conventional phototherapy and double phototherapy with single phototherapy for the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia while watching for any possible side effects of the system. METHODS: During the period of February 1994 till June 1995, randomized controlled study was performed. 130 healthy term infants with non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia were enrolled, 45 patients received fiberoptic phototherapy, 40 patients received conventional phototherapy and 45 patients received double phototherapy. Criteria for inclusion in the study were 1) after 37 weeks of gestation 2) negative result of a direct coombs test 3) normal hemoglobin and hematocrit 4) no Rh or ABO incompatibility 5) plasma total bilirubin concentration exceed 10mg/dl during the first 3 days of life. RESULTS: 1) The mean total bilirubin decline level after 24 hours was 0.03 2.03mg/dl and the mean indirect bilirubin decline level after 24 hours was 0.12+/-1.35mg/dl in conventional phototherapy group(p0.01). 2) The mean total bilirubin decline level after 48 hours was 1.25 2.71mg/dl and the mean indirect bilirubin decline level was 1.17+/-1.52mg/dl in conventional phototherapy group (p0.01). 3) The mean decline levels of 24 hours-total and indirect bilirubin were 0.01+/-1.23mg/dl and 0.09+/-1.13mg/dl, and the mean decline levels of 48hours-total and indirect bilirubin were 0.92+/-1.85mg/dl and 0.99+/-1.08mg/dl (p0.01) or diarrhea(p>0.01) among three groups. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that fiberoptic phototherapy has less efficacy comparable to that of conventional phototherapy and double phototherapy has no significant differences in effectiveness compared with conventional phototherapy. So we hope further studies on the effects of the fiberoptic phototherapy in preterm infants and in after 48 hours will be done.