Efficacy of continuous and intermittent phototherapy in diminution of serum total and unbound bilirubin in premature infants

Abstract

The efficacy of continuous phototherapy (48 hours continuous light on) and intermittent Porto, S. 0., Pildes, R. S., & Goodman, H. 1969 Studies on the effect of phototherapy on neonatal hyperbilirubinemia among low birth weight infants: I. Skin colors. J. Pediat. 75:1045.9.
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photo-therapy (6 hours light on, 6 hours light off 48 hours) in the diminution of serum total and unboundbilirubin levels has been studied in 26 randomized premature infants.
Total-bilirubin level was determined spectrophotometrically and unbound-bilirubin level by the peroxidase oxidation method using an UB-analyzer.
During phototherapy there was significant reduction of total and unbound-bilirubin levels in both groups. However, the diminution of both groups was not significantly different. After photo-therapy was completed there was significant reduction of total and unbound-bilirubin levels in both groups. The diminution of total-bilirubin level until the 4th day after treatment was not significantly different in both groups. Diminution of unbound•bilirubin of intermittent group was significantly greater than that of the continuous group in the 3rd and 4th days after treatment.
In conclusion both phototherapy methods were equally effective in diminution of total and un• bound •bilirubin levels in premature infants.

Key Words: phototherapy - hyperbilirubinemia - unbound-bilirubin level - premature infant - spectrophotometry