Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
High intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) are being studied as possible light sources for the phototherapy of neonatal jaundice, as they can emit high intensity light of narrow wavelength band in the blue region of the visible light spectrum corresponding to the spectrum of maximal bilirubin absorption. We used a new blue gallium nitride LED phototherapy unit with high intensity, and compared its efficacy to commercially used halogen quartz phototherapy device. The prototype device with two focused arrays, each with 20blue LEDs, generated greater irradiance than the conventional device tested.
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the efficacy of blue LED light versus conventional phototherapy lamp in treatment of neonatal jaundice.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
A total of 101 jaundiced otherwise healthy, term and preterm neonate who had hyperbilirubinemia were prospectively randomized to either LED (n=57) or conventional phototherapy (n=44). Entry criteria to phototherapy followed the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Practice Parameter.
RESULTS:
One hundred and one neonate were included in this study , the mean rate of TSB lowering increase with increase age was significant in LED group (p value =0.000), according to the maturity the mean rate of TSB lowering increase with increase age also was significant in LED group (p- value= 0.000), no significant correlation was found in regarding birth weight and rate of lowering of TSB (P=0.263),there where a significant correlation between mean rate of TSB lowering and initial TSB level in LED group(P-value= 0.000 )and lastly there was a significant higher rate of lowering of TSB in LED group than those with conventional one.
CONCLUSION:
A blue LED phototherapy unit showed higher efficacy in bilirubin photodegradation compared to that of commercially used halogen quartz phototherapy device. And a significant correlation between the rate of lowering of TSB and each of (age, maturity , weight and initial TSB level) in the two groups. Additional studies will be necessary to prove its clinical efficacy.
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