FIBER OPTIC VERSUS CONVENTIONAL PHOTOTHERAPY FOR HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA IN PRETERM INFANTS

Studies comparing efficacy of fibre optic phototherapy to conventional phototherapy are performed mostly in term infants and give conflictin g results, This randomized prospective study compares efficacy of fibr e optic phototherapy using the Ohmeda Biliblanket device to convention al fluorescent phototherapy in preterm infants. A total of 124 preterm infants with a nonhaemolytic hyperbilirubinaemia were evaluated. Stra tification at randomisation was performed according to birth weight (< 1000 g, 1000-1500 g or 1500-2000 g). Fifty-six infants received fibre optic and 68 conventional phototherapy. Efficacy was assessed by comp aring the required duration of phototherapy. Median duration of photot herapy was 118 h and 114 h in the fibre optic and conventional groups respectively, the difference in which was not statistically significan t. The median durations were also not significantly different within t he separate weight groups. The number of infants requiring exchange tr ansfusions was similar in both treatment groups. Conclusion. The effic acy of fibre optic phototherapy in preterm infants is comparable to co nventional phototherapy.