A new blue light-emitting phototherapy device: A prospective randomized controlled study

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a new phototherapy light source with a narrow luminous blue spectrum. The device, made with high-intensity gall ium nitride light-emitting diodes (LEDs), was compared with conventional ph ototherapy at similar light intensities. Setting: Two university-affiliated community hospitals in Jerusalem. Design: prospective open randomized study. Participants: Sixty-nine jaundic ed, but otherwise healthy: term infants who met the entry criteria for phot otherapy set by the American Academy of Pediatrics' Practice Parameter. Main outcome measures: The duration of phototherapy and the rate of decreas e in total serum bilirubin (TSB) concentration. Results: The mean TSB concentrations at initiation and termination of treat ment did not differ between newborns receiving LED and those receiving conv entional phototherapy. The duration of phototherapy and the rate of decreas e in TSB concentration were not statistically different in the 2 groups. Th e average rate of decrease in TSB after adjustment Lv a linear regression a nalysis for confounding factors was -3.16 mu mol/L/h (95% confidence limits -4.81, -1.51) in newborns receiving LED phototherapy compared with -2.19 m u mol/L/h (-3.99, -0.40) in those treated with conventional phototherapy (P < .14). No side effects were noted in any of the newborns. Conclusions: The blue gallium nitride LED device is as effective as convent ional phototherapy and is readily accepted by nursing staff. Future LED pho totherapy devices can provide much higher irradiance, and thus greater effi cacy, and offer a new highly versatile approach to the treatment of jaundic e.