Effect of Repositioning Frequency Neonates Receiving Phototherapy

Effect of Repositioning Frequency on Bilirubin Level and Infant Comfort in Neonates Receiving Phototherapy

Purpose: The present study was conducted to determine the effect of repositioning frequency during phototherapy on bilirubin level and neonates comfort.

Design and methods: This was a single-centered, single-blind, 3-arm, pretest-posttest parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Supine position group (n = 20), hourly position change group (n = 20), and control group (n = 20). The bilirubin level and comfort levels of the neonates were evaluated.

Purpose: The present study was conducted to determine the effect of repositioning frequency during phototherapy on bilirubin level and neonates comfort.

Inclusion Criteria:

• gestational age between 35-42 weeks
• birth weight of 2000 g or more
• indication for phototherapy
• no previous phototherapy,
• no medical diagnosis other than prenatal hyperbilirubinemia
• stable health status
• no clinical signs of dehydration
• transition to oral feeding, no sucking problems
• being at least 2 days old on the day of phototherapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• a sudden change in stability during phototherapy and
• phototherapy duration of less than 24 hours