Effectiveness of Dual-Blanket Phototherapy Compared With Combination Phototherapy on Rate of Bilirubin Decline and Treatment Duration

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of dual light-emitting diode (LED) blanket phototherapy compared with combination LED phototherapy on the rate of total serum bilirubin (TSB) decline and treatment duration among full-term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 255 newborns with hyperbilirubinemia admitted to a free-standing, university-affiliated, nonprofit, tertiary care Children's Hospital was conducted. Phototherapy type, duration, and rate of TSB decline were compared.

Results: The rate of TSB decline was significantly higher among neonates treated with combination LED phototherapy than neonates treated with dual-blanket phototherapy (p <.0001). There was no significant difference in phototherapy duration.

Discussion: Combination phototherapy resulted in a more rapid decline in TSB but did not shorten phototherapy duration compared to dual-blanket phototherapy. Phototherapy duration may have been confounded by variability in the timing of TSB laboratory draws. Further comparative effectiveness studies are recommended.

Keywords: Phototherapy; acute hospital care; hyperbilirubinemia; neonate.