Comparison of Effects of LED Phototherapy with Compact Fluorescent Phototherapy in Neonates with Hyperbilirubinemia

Abstract

Objective: To compare the mean post-treatment bilirubin level with light emitting diode (LED) phototherapy versus compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) phototherapy in neonates presenting with hyperbilirubinemia

Study Design: Comparative prospective study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Paediatrics, Pakistan Railway Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan to Dec 2019.

Methodology: Hundred children fulfilling the inclusion criteria were recuited in the study from Emergency Department. Then neonates were divided into two groups. In Group-A, neonates underwent phototherapy with LED; in Group-B, neonates underwent phototherapy with conventional phototherapy. Then neonates were followed up in the neonatal intensive care unit for 24 hours. Pre and post-treatment reports were assessed, and bilirubin level was noted.

Results: In Group-A, the mean age of neonates was 49.12±23.42 hours, while in Group-B was 38.70±15.42 hours. In Group-A, the mean Bilirubin level at baseline was 13.64±5.98 gm/dl and in Group-B was 15.88±5.44 gm/dl. In Group-A, the mean Bilirubin level after 24 hours was 8.47±4.96 gm/dl and in Group-B was 9.538±5.35 gm/dl. In both groups, no significant difference in the mean bilirubin level was observed after 24 hours (p-value=0.30).

Conclusion: Light-emitting diode phototherapy and compact fluorescent lamp phototherapy are equally effective in a mean reduction in the total serum bilirubin after 24 hours.