Efficacy of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice is increased by the use of low-cost white reflecting curtains.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether the addition of low-cost reflecting curtains to a standard phototherapy unit could increase effectiveness of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice.

DESIGN:

Randomised controlled clinical trial.

SETTING:

Level-one nursery of the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malayasia.

PATIENTS:

Term newborns with uncomplicated neonatal jaundice presenting in the first week of life.

INTERVENTIONS:

Phototherapy with white curtains hanging from the sides of the phototherapy unit (study group, n = 50) was compared with single phototherapy without curtains (control group, n = 47).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

The primary outcome was the mean difference in total serum bilirubin measured at baseline and after 4 h of phototherapy. The secondary outcome was the duration of phototherapy.

RESULTS:

The mean (standard deviation) decrease in total serum bilirubin levels after 4 h of phototherapy was significantly (p<0.001) higher in the study group (27.62 (25.24) micromol/l) than in the control group (4.04 (24.27) micromol/l). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that the median duration of phototherapy was significantly shorter in the study group (12 h) than in the control group (34 h; chi(2) change 45.2; p<0.001; hazards ratio 0.20; 95% confidence interval 0.12 to 0.32). No difference in adverse events was noted in terms of hyperthermia or hypothermia, weight loss, rash, loose stools or feeding intolerance.

CONCLUSION:

Hanging white curtains around phototherapy units significantly increases efficacy of phototherapy in the treatment of neonatal jaundice without evidence of increased adverse effects.

• Authors: S Djokomuljanto, B S Quah, Y Surini, R Noraida, N Z N Ismail, T W R Hansen, H Van Rostenberghe
• Journal: Archives of disease in childhood. Fetal and neonatal edition (Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed) Vol. 91 Issue 6 Pg. F439-42 (Nov 2006) ISSN: 1359-2998 [Print] England
• PMID: 16877479 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Bilirubin

Topics

• Bedding and Linens
• Bilirubin (blood)
• Color
• Equipment Design
• Female
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Jaundice, Neonatal (economics, therapy)
• Male
• Phototherapy (economics, instrumentation)
• Treatment Outcome