Effectiveness of Conventional Phototherapy versus Super Light-Emitting Diodes Phototherapy in Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia
Sopapan Ngerncham MD, MSc*, Kriangsak Jirapaet MD, MPH*, Ratanapan Suvonachai RN**, Ranoo Chaweerat RN**, Pimol Wongsiridej MD*, Thratip Kolatat MD*
Affiliation : * Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Pediatric Nursing Division, Nursing Department, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is very common. Phototherapy has been used for decades to prevent severe
hyperbilirubinemia, which can cause kernicterus.
Objective : To compare the effectiveness of two phototherapy devices in reducing plasma bilirubin and duration of phototherapy
in non-severe hyperbilirubinemia.
Material and Method: This was an open-label randomized controlled trial. Forty healthy infants aged between 1 and 5
days with non-severe hyperbilirubinemia, but to the level requiring phototherapy, were recruited. The phototherapy unit
used in the “blue-light” group was the Siriraj Phototherapy Lamp with 6 special blue fl uorescent tubes. The phototherapy
unit used in the “light-emitting diodes (LEDs)” group was the Bilitron 3006 with 5 super LEDs.
Results : Twenty infants were included in each group. Demographic data and baseline clinical characteristics of infants in
both groups were comparable. Median rate (25%, 75%tile) of plasma bilirubin decreasing during phototherapy in the “blue
light” was signifi cantly higher than in the “LEDs” group [0.16 (0.09, 0.25) and 0.10 (0.02, 0.17) mg/dL/hour, respectively;
p = 0.03]. Duration of phototherapy in “blue light” group was shorter than in “LEDs” group but was not statistically
signifi cant.
Conclusion : A locally invented phototherapy device with special blue fl uorescent tubes can be more effective than the more
expensive commercial super LEDs phototherapy device in decreasing plasma bilirubin.
Keywords : Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, Phototherapy, Blue light, LEDs
