Phototherapy—a modified approach

Abstract

Continuous and intermittent (6 h-on and 6 h-off) phototherapy was given to the two closely matched groups of 18 and 22 newborns with hyperbilirubinemia, respectively. The percent fall of plasma bilirubin for each 24 h on first, second, third and fourth day of phototherapy was 7.55 percent (S.E. 3.18) 14.66 percent (S.E.2.26), 10.99 percent (S.E.2.97) and 14.55 percent (S.E.3.58) respectively in continuous phototherapy. The corresponding figures for intermittent phototherapy were 7.6 percent (S.E.3.94), 12.75 percent (S.E.1.53), 10.36 percent (S.E.2.51) and 13.39 percent (S.E.2.21). The differences were statistically insignificant (p>0.5). The total duration of photoexposure was 40.36 h (S.E.3.66) in the intermittent phototherapy group cs compared to 76 h (S.E.7.82) in the continuous phototherapy (p<0.001). In view of the concern which has been raised regarding the possible long term side effects of phototherapy, intermittent phototherapy offers an attractive therapeutic alternative by reducing the duration of light exposure to about half without decreasing the efficacy.