Close-Range Immersive Phototherapy for Managing Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

Sushma Krishnegowda, Deepti Thandaveshwara, Srinivasa Murthy Doreswamy

Abstract

Background and Aim: A phototherapy unit with focused irradi¬ation and minimal peripheral light divergence was developed. Following this, a novel phototherapy device, close-range immersive phototherapy (CRImP), was developed using these photo units to prevent side effects secondary to constant exposure to phototherapy lights. This study evaluated the efficacy of this new device in reducing the bilirubin in neo¬nates with hyperbilirubinemia.

Materials and Methods: Infants meeting eligibility criteria were randomized to receive either conventional phototherapy or CRImP. Serum bilirubin was measured at intervals, and both the cumulative drop and percentage reductions in bilirubin per hour were analyzed. The nurse’s opinion regarding the device was assessed using a Likert scale.

Results: The median cumulative drop in bilirubin was 15.9 (5.67– 29.37) g/dL and 23.8 (16.9–28.3) g/dL in the conventional photo¬therapy and CRImP groups, respectively. The rate of reduction in bilirubin increased from baseline to 13.7% in the CRImP group and 10.4% in the conventional phototherapy group. This difference was statistically significant (P = .001). A higher proportion of infants (18%) in the CRImP group had the photo¬therapy discontinued after 12 hours of treatment, with a signifi¬cant P value.

Conclusion: CRImP results in faster resolution of jaundice in a greater proportion of neonates compared with conventional phototherapy.