To determine the efficacy of intermittent versus continuous phototherapy in the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in term neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

M. Senthil Kumar; R. Raguvaran

Volume : IX, Issue : VI, June - 2020

To determine the efficacy of intermittent versus continuous phototherapy in the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in term neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

M. Senthil Kumar, R. Raguvaran

Abstract :

Background: To determine the effectiveness of intermittent and continuous phototherapy in reducing the serum bilirubin in neonatal jaundice in term neonates. Methods: The current study was conducted on 100 term icteric neonates between June 2019 and March 2020. The neonates were divided randomly into two groups. In the continuous phototherapy group the on–off time was 2hours and 30 minutes respectively (on for 2hours and off for 30 minutes), whereas in the intermittent phototherapy group the on–off time was 2hours and 3hours respectively (on for 2hours and off for 3hours). The total serum bilirubin was measured every 6hours till the total serum bilirubin was <13mg/dl. Results: The mean age of neonates in continuous and intermittent phototherapy group was 3.89�1.83 and 3.88�1.84 respectively (P=0.91). The mean follow–up bilirubin at 36 hours was 12.89�1.50 and 12.91�1.70 in the continuous and intermittent phototherapy group respectively (P=0.96). There was no statistical difference in the mean age of the neonate, baseline serum bilirubin and follow–up bilirubin at 36hours between the two groups. Conclusion: The intermittent phototherapy was as effective as the continuous phototherapy in reducing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.