Comparison of the Effectiveness of Phototherapy for Nonhemolytic Hyperbilirubinemia in Breast-fed and Formula-fed Infants

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of phototherapy for nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia in breast-fed and formula-fed infants and infants receiving formula and breast milk. METHODS: Full-term healthy infants with nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia (bilirubin concentration > or =13.0 mg/dL) were treated with conventional phototherapy by using daylight fluorescent lamps. Three groups of infants were studied group A, formula-fed infants; group B, breast-fed infants; group C, infants receiving formula and breast milk. All patterns of feeding started at birth. Phototherapy was terminated only when bilirubin concentration had decreased to less than 10.0 mg/dL. RESULTS: A total of 163 infants were studied. Phototherapy was highly effective in reducing the bilirubin concentration in all three groups, however, its efficacy of in group B was poorer compared with the other two groups. The duration of photopherapy and weight loss during phototherapy were not significantly different in the three groups. Decrease rates of bilirubin concentration during phototherapy in group A and C were significantly faster than that of group B. CONCLUSION: The response to phototherapy of group B infants was significantly slower than those of group A and C infants. The addition of formula to the feedings for totally breast-fed infants, without suspension of breast feeding, would enhance the efficacy of phototherapy and reduce exposure time.