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  • Original Article
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Double versus single intensive phototherapy with LEDs in treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Journal of Perinatology volume 38, pages 154–158 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

We investigate whether double phototherapy reduces total serum bilirubin concentration faster than single light during intensive phototherapy with high levels of irradiance using light-emitting diodes.

Study Design:

Eighty-three infants with gestational age ⩾33 weeks and uncomplicated hyperbilirubinemia were randomized to either double (n=41) or single phototherapy (n=42) for 24 h. The mean irradiance was 64.8 μW cm−2 nm−1 from above and 39 μW cm−2 nm−1 from below.

Results:

The percentage decreases of total serum bilirubin after 12 h of double vs single phototherapy were (mean (95% confidence interval (CI))) 39% (37 to 42) vs 30% (27 to 32), respectively (P<0.001). After 24 h, the decreases were 58% (56 to 61) vs 47% (44 to 50), respectively (P<0.001). The results were still significant after adjustment for confounding. The only side effect was loose stools.

Conclusion:

Even with intensive phototherapy increasing spectral power by increasing the irradiated body surface area, the efficacy of phototherapy is improved.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the nurses, doctors in charge and the laboratory technicians for their excellent assistance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark

    M L Donneborg, P K Vandborg & F Ebbesen

  2. Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark

    M L Donneborg & F Ebbesen

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    B M Hansen

  4. Department of Research, Education and Innovation, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark

    M Rodrigo-Domingo

Authors
  1. M L Donneborg
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  2. P K Vandborg
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  3. B M Hansen
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  4. M Rodrigo-Domingo
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  5. F Ebbesen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M L Donneborg.

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Donneborg, M., Vandborg, P., Hansen, B. et al. Double versus single intensive phototherapy with LEDs in treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. J Perinatol 38, 154–158 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2017.167

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