FIBEROPTIC PHOTOTHERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF JAUNDICE IN LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT NEONATES

A fibreoptic phototherapy device has been compared with conventional w hite and special blue fluorescent phototherapy lamps to evaluate its e fficacy in lowering serum bilirubin levels in low-birthweight neonates . Fibreoptic phototherapy was found to be as effective as white light and less effective than blue light, as assessed by (i) the bilirubin c oncentration after 24 h of phototherapy and at the end of phototherapy , (ii) the duration of phototherapy, (iii) the percentage daily declin e rate and (iv) the overall percentage decline rate (p < 0.05). There were no failures of phototherapy and the need for re-exposure was low (4.7% of the total sample), with no difference between groups. The fib reoptic approach represents a promising way to aggregate synergically the most recent optical technologies and develop a modern, efficient a nd caring phototherapy system for low-birthweight infants.