Publication:

Double surface light emitting diode phototherapy versus double surface compact florescent light phototherapy in neonatal non-haemolytic hyperbilirubinemia: a randomized controlled trial

Background The aim of the study was to evaluate whether light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy is as efficacious as compact fluorescent tube (CFT) phototherapy for the treatment of non-hemolytic jaundice in healthy term and late preterm neonates.

Methods Study design was open label randomized controlled trial conducted at tertiary care NICU. Healthy term and late preterm neonates with non-haemolytic jaundice included in the present study. Intervention was double-surface LED or CFT phototherapy. Primary outcome variable was duration of phototherapy.

Results A total of 60 neonates were randomized to receive LED (n=30) or CFT (n=30) phototherapy. The baseline demographic and biochemical variables were similar in the two groups. The median duration of phototherapy (Mean±SD) in the two groups was comparable (26.7±7.0) h vs (24.8±6.05) h, P=0.0.241). The rate of fall of serum total bilirubin (STB) during phototherapy in initial 6 hours was significantly more LED group (n=30), 3.43±0.65 versus (n=30) 2.22±0.55 with P-value of <0.001.

Conclusions LED and CFT phototherapy units were equally efficacious in the management of non-haemolytic hyperbilirubinemia in healthy term and late-preterm neonates.  Side effects were rare, comparable in the two groups and included only rash.