Broad Band Emission LED Phototherapy Source Versus Narrow Band

Clinical Efficacy of LED Phototherapy Devices With Blue - Green Versus Blue Light of Equal Irradiance in Neonates With Non Hemolytic Jaundice

Phototherapy is the most frequently used treatment in neonatology when serum bilirubin levels exceed physiological limits. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are become routinely used for phototherapy in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia. Blue LED light with peak emission around 460 nm is regarded as the most suitable light sources for phototherapy and they recommended by most neonatal guidelines. However, the effectiveness of phototherapy with narrow-band LED light sources can be increased by expanding the spectral range of incident radiation within the absorption of bilirubin due to the strongly marked heterogeneity absorption properties of bilirubin in a different microenvironment. Longer wavelength light, such as green light, is expected to penetrate the infant's skin deeper. It is still controversial whether the use of green light has any advantage over blue light. The most effective and safest light source and the optimal method to evaluate phototherapy, however, remain unknown.The aim of this study was to compare, at equal light irradiance, the clinical efficacy of broad spectrum blue- green LED with blue narrow spectral band phototherapy device.

Inclusion Criteria:

• non-haemolytic hyperbilirubinaemia, but otherwise healthy, indications for phototherapy based on NICE criteria, gestational age ≥33 weeks, birth weight ≥1800 g, postnatal age >24 hrs and ≤14 days

Exclusion Criteria:

• hemolytic jaundice, major congenital animalities and history of phototherapy. Infants with indication of intensive treatment double phototherapy were not included.