PHOTOTHERAPY OF ICTERUS OF NEWBORN IN THE DEPARTMENT OF OBSTETRICS

Purpose of the Study: This study presents the results of phototherapy of neonatal jaundice performed in the perinatal unit of the Dept. of O bstetrics at the University of Freiburg. Patients and methods: The dat a of 289 consecutive hyperbilirubinaemic neonates were evaluated and c orrelated to birth weight, gestational age, sex, blood type, Rhesus co nstellation, Coombs titre, incidence of maternal antibodies, pH value, APGAR score and bilirubin serum concentration before and after therap y. Results: Infants with low birthweight and newborn with high calory intake during therapy showed a significantly decreased duration of the rapy and a rapid decrease of bilirubin serum concentration. Only 19% o f the jaundiced newborn had to be referred to the Paediatric Departmen t for further treatment. Conclusion: By cooperation between obstetrici ans and neonatologists, therapy of the neonatal jaundice can be perfor med in obstetrical units. Separation of mother and child can thus be a voided. Only if in additional complications such as persistent hyperbi lirubinemia or infections occur will it be necessary to refer the pati ent to the Paediatric Department.