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A clinical trial of fiberoptic phototherapy vs conventional phototherapy.

We conducted a randomized, controlled trial to compare fiberoptic phototherapy with conventional phototherapy in healthy jaundiced newborns with birth weights greater than 2500 g. Twelve patients received fiberoptic phototherapy and 14 patients received conventional phototherapy. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to birth weight, gestational age, feeding method, presence of hemolytic disease, hematocrit, reticulocyte count, or initial serum bilirubin level. Measured irradiance at 425 to 475 nm for conventional phototherapy was greater than that of fiberoptic phototherapy (9.2 +/- 0.9 microW/cm2 per nanometer vs 8.2 +/- 1.2 microW/cm2 per nanometer). Both types of phototherapy lowered the level of serum bilirubin after 18 hours of therapy (fiberoptic group, from 231 +/- 29 to 210 +/- 24 mumol/L; conventional group, from 231 +/- 21 to 188 +/- 26 mumol/L), but the mean serum bilirubin level was lower after 18 hours of therapy in the conventional phototherapy group (188 +/- 26 vs 210 +/- 24 mumol/L). There were no side effects in either group of newborns. Both methods of phototherapy decreased the serum bilirubin level, but conventional phototherapy did so more effectively, probably because of its greater irradiance.

Female

Double versus single phototherapy in low birth weight newborns.

Conventional phototherapy systems that simultaneously irradiate the front and the back of the baby lower the serum bilirubin level more rapidly than one-sided systems, but they are impractical. Fiberoptic phototherapy makes it easy to administer conventional phototherapy from above while the infant lies on a fiberoptic phototherapy blanket. Newborns with birth weights less than 2500 g were randomly assigned to receive either single (n = 37) or double (n = 33) phototherapy. The groups were similar in clinical and laboratory characteristics. After 18 hours of therapy the serum bilirubin concentration declined by 31 +/- 11% in the double and 16 +/- 15% in the single phototherapy group (2.9 +/- 1.1 vs 1.6 +/- 1.4 mg/dL), and the difference in the total serum bilirubin levels after 18 hours of therapy was significant (double phototherapy group 7.1 +/- 2.7 mg/dL vs single phototherapy group 8.2 +/- 2.6 mg/dL). After 18 hours of treatment the serum bilirubin level was less than the phototherapy threshold level in 26 of 37 single phototherapy patients vs 32 of 33 double phototherapy patients. Double phototherapy was well tolerated. It is concluded that this type of double phototherapy is more effective than single phototherapy in low birth weight newborns. Double phototherapy may be useful when it is necessary to reduce an elevated serum bilirubin level as rapidly as possible or when the bilirubin level is rising with single phototherapy.

Female

Efficacy of "high-intensity" blue-light and "standard" daylight phototherapy for non-haemolytic hyperbilirubinaemia.

We report our clinical experience with phototherapy in 3802 infants; 3629 were exposed to "standard" daylight phototherapy and 173 to "high-intensity" blue-light phototherapy. High-intensity blue-light phototherapy was twice as effective as standard daylight phototherapy in decreasing bilirubin concentrations. No failures occurred with high-intensity phototherapy compared with an overall failure rate of 1.84/1000 with daylight lamps; these cases were transferred to high-intensity phototherapy with prompt response. Rebound after cessation of phototherapy was greater in those exposed to high-intensity blue light with a significantly greater number requiring a second exposure. However, the incidence was still low. No third exposure was required in any infant. Nursing of infants under high-intensity blue light was more difficult and inconvenient as was clinical monitoring. The light also caused more stress on the nursing and medical personnel. However, the infants tolerated both types of phototherapy equally well. High-intensity blue-light phototherapy would seem to be the treatment of choice for infants with rapidly increasing or very high bilirubin levels, as well as in those not responding adequately to daylight phototherapy.

Bilirubin

Effects of phototherapy on platelet counts in low-birthweight infants and on platelet production and life span in rabbits.

The effects of conventional phototherapy on platelets in vivo were studied in rabbits and in low-birthweight infants. Rabbits were divided into three groups and individually treated continuously for 96 hours, with blue light, daylight, or no phototherapy. Incorporation of selenomethionine Se75 was used to evaluate platelet production and life span. Platelet turnover was significantly increased in the blue-light phototherapy group, and was also increased in the daylight group but to a lesser degree. Daily platelet counts and hematocrits were performed in infants weighing less than 2,000 gm at birth randomized at 24 +/- 12 hours of life to receive daylight phototherapy continuously for 96 hours (31 infants) or no phototherapy (26 infants). In 12 treated infants (38.7%) platelet counts fell below 150,000/cu mm whereas this occurred in only 3 (11.5%) of the controls. These two lower platelet count subgroups differed significantly in mean gestational age and birthweight with the phototherapy group being the more mature. Pre-phototherapy, the mean platelet count of these 12 infants was lower than the mean of the entire control group, suggesting that these infants had borderline marrow reserve before phototherapy was given. These results suggest that phototherapy increases the rate of platelet turnover. When bone marrow compensation is inadequate, the platelet count may fall.

Animals

Importance of radiant flux in the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia: failure of overhead phototherapy units in intensive care units.

Prior to 1972, radiation used to treat neonatal hyperbilirubinemia was based upon the photometric unit, the foot-candle, a measure of light illumination. Measurements in terms of microwatts per square centimeter for selective wavelengths is more precise. We compared the effectiveness of phototherapy provided by overhead phototherapy units in intensive care modules vs. conventional phototherapy units. Forty-two infants were studied over a six-month period and divided into three groups based upon radiant flux measurements as follows: Group 1 (No. = 6), 1.0 muw to 1.9 muw/sq cm/nm; group 2 (No. = 15), 2.0 muw to 3.9 muw/sq cm/nm; group 3 (No. = 21), 4.0 muw to 6.0 muw/sq cm/nm. All flux determinations were made within the 400- to 500-nm range. All infants in group 1 were treated with overhead phototherapy units in the intensive care modules. Because of multiple factors known to increase the risk of kernicterus, evaluation of effectiveness of phototherapy at low radiant flux was limited in group 1. Significant changes in bilirubin were noted by 48 hours when comparing group 3 with groups 1 and 2. A minimum of 4.0 muw/sq cm/nm appears necessary for effective phototherapy. As designed, phototherapy units in intensive care modules are ineffective in delivering this therapeutic level of radiant flux.

Humans

The nature of the dose-response relationship of phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

The nature of the dose response relationship of phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia was studied in 110 infants divided into ten comparable groups; each group was subjected to phototherapy of different intensity. The response to phototherapy increases with increasing dose, but the rate of this response progressively decreases with increasing radiance till a "saturation point" is reached, beyond which no further increase in response occurs to further increase in radiance, i.e., an asymptotic regression was demonstrated. The minimal radiance at which phototherapy begins to be effective for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia was also determined. The rebound after cessation of phototherapy was similar in all groups of infants, despite the shorter duration of exposure required for the groups subjected to intense phototherapy.

Bilirubin

Phototherapy for ABO haemolytic hyperbilirubinaemia.

The efficacy of 'standard' daylight phototherapy and 'high intensity' blue light phototherapy for neonatal jaundice from ABO-HD, or of a non-haemolytic nature was evaluated. Altogether 77 full-term infants with ABO-HD and 3,020 with non-haemolytic jaundice were studied. Both groups of infants responded well to standard daylight phototherapy; the response in non-haemolytic hyperbilirubinaemia was significantly greater. High intensity blue light phototherapy was significantly more effective in reducing bilirubin levels than standard daylight phototherapy in both group of infants with no failure being encountered. Four infants with non-haemolytic jaundice did not respond adequately to white light (1.4/1,000); they needed high intensity blue light for adequate response. Bilirubin rebound was mild. Four infants in the blue light group needed a second exposure (28.3/1,000) compared with 20 in the white light group (6.9/1,000), a difference that was significant. Standard white light phototherapy is usually adequate for ABO-HD as well as non-haemolytic hyperbilirubinaemia. High intensity blue light would be preferable where a more rapid and greater response is desirable.

ABO Blood-Group System

Fiberoptic vs conventional home phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Two methods of administering home phototherapy were compared. Twenty-two infants received home phototherapy with a fiberoptic cummerbund, and 26 infants received home phototherapy with a conventional four-bul "bililight." The two treatment modalities proved equally effective in lowering bilirubin levels. The duration of treatment was a mean of 3.09 days in the fiberoptic group and 2.77 days in the bililight group, and the daily decline in bilirubin levels was a mean of 1.84 mg/dL/day in the fiberoptic group and 2.18 mg/dL/day in the bililight group. Differences were not statistically significant (Student's t-test, two-tailed). Upon completion of therapy, mothers responded to 15 statements intended to measure attitudes and perceptions regarding home phototherapy. In four of the 15 statements there was a statistically significant preference for fiberoptic therapy, as measured with the chi-square statistic (p less than .05), while in the remaining statements there were no preferences expressed toward either treatment modality. Fiberoptic home phototherapy appears to be as effective as home phototherapy administered with conventional bililights and may be better accepted by parents.

Bilirubin

The lack of effects of phototherapy on neonatal oxygen dissociation curves and hemoglobin concentration in vivo.

Phototherapy has been shown to cause hemolysis of fetal red cells and a shift to the right in the neonatal oxygen dissociation curve (deltaP50) in vitro. To determine if these parameters act similarly in vivo, we have studied 16 icteric infants before and after phototherapy and compared them with eight control infants studied at birth and at 3 days of age, measuring the change in P50, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), serum bilirubin, the percent of bilirubin/albumin saturation, and the hemoglobin concentration in the two groups. Following phototherapy, in the icteric infants there was a shift to the right in the O2 dissociation curve of + 1.7 mm Hg, a rise in 2,3-DPG of 2.26 micronmol/gm Hb, a fall in serum bilirubin of 4.3 mg/100 ml, a decrease in percent bilirubin/albumin saturation of 12.4%, and a drop in hemoglobin of 1.1 gm/100 ml. The control group showed a deltaP50 of + 2.0 mm Hg, a rise in 2,3-DPG of 3.67 micronmol/gm Hb, an increase in serum bilirubin of 3.2 mg/100 ml, an increase in percent bilirubin/albumin saturation of 9.3%, and a fall in hemoglobin of 0.3 gm/100 ml. Significant differences between the groups were seen only in the changes in bilirubin concentration and percent bilirubin/albumin satruation. The magnitude of changes in P50, 2,3-DPG, and hemoglobin concentration was similar in the phototherapy and control groups and was related to the expected changes with reference to postnatal age. These results suggest that phototherapy in vivo neither affects (fetal erythrocytic affinity for oxygen nor causes hemolysis. Pediatrics, 59:1027-1031, 1977 PHOTOTHERAPY, 2,3-DIPHOSPHOGLYCERATE, HEMOLYSIS, NEWBORN INFANT.

Diphosphoglyceric Acids

The lack of effect of phototherapy on serum bilirubin-binding capacity in newborn infants.

Using a Sephadex G-25 separation technique, the total bilirubin-binding capacity was measured in 18 jaundiced infants before and after phototherapy. The initial total bilirubin-binding capacity obtained at 20 to 113 hours of age averaged 17.5 +/- 4.4 mg/dl (mean +/- SD) and was unchanged during phototherapy at 34 to 135 hours of age. In ten infants, the total bilirubin-binding capacity was measured before, during, and 24 hours after the cessation of phototherapy. Here too, phototherapy did not significantly influence the TBBC. These data indicate that in vivo, phototherapy does not alter the serum bilirubin binding capacity of newborn infants.

Bilirubin

Light (phototherapy)--induced riboflavin deficiency in the neonate.

Phototherapy with blue light decomposes riboflavin, which has a maximum absorption at 450 nm. A study was designed to determine whether riboflavin deficiency developed in neonates who received phototherapy for moderate hyperbilirubinemia. Twenty-one infants with normal erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity were investigated. Five infants with moderate hyperbilirubinemia who did not require phototherapy served as the controls. Riboflavin deficiency was determined from the degree of saturation of erythrocyte glutathione reductase, a method shown to reflect riboflavin nutritional status in the neonate. Sixteen of 21 infants who were exposed to phototherapy developed riboflavin deficiency; all who had phototherapy for 49 hours or more developed the deficiency. That the concentration of serum bilirubin or the duration of hyperbilirubinemia was not a factor is supported by the fact that none of the controls became deficient. This observation may have important metabolic and clinical consequences for the neonate.

Female

Phototherapy. Short and long-term complications.

Use of phototherapy for hyperbilirubinaemia in 300 consecutively treated infants has shown that minor complications are common. With a knowledge of these complications and measures taken to minimize their effects, phototherapy appears to be safe in the short term. The long-term follow-up study showed that growth, and in particular head circumference, was not affected. There was, however, a higher incidence of squints and abnormal developmental performance in those infants treated with phototherapy. This may not have been due to phototherapy usage per se. However, because of these findings, it is suggested that phototherapy should not be used indiscriminately for hyperbilirubinaemia until the results of further long-term studies are available.

Bilirubin

Changes of serum gonadotropin concentrations in premature babies submitted to phototherapy.

In order to determine if phototherapy was influencing any change in plasma gonadotropin levels, we have compared a group of 8 premature infants (4 males and 4 females) who have been treated with phototherapy because of jaundice, to a control group of 6 premature infants who did not require phototherapy. During the third and fourth week of life, luteinizing hormone (LH) and folicule stimulating hormone (FSH), increased simultaneously in a significant range in phototherapy treated females. In the group of treated males, LH but not FSH increased significantly. Constant phototherapy and/or the sudden stopping of the treatment in the jaundiced premature newborn female is responsible for a marked and transient elevation of gonadotropins. A clear mechanism of the observed phenomenon with pathways including the retina, pineal gland and hypothalamus, is not apparent.

Female

Significance of phototherapy-induced riboflavin deficiency in the full-term neonate.

As a result of impaired fatty acid oxidation, a characteristic urinary dicarboxylic aciduria occurs in the riboflavin deficient animal. We compared the occurrence of riboflavin deficiency induced by phototherapy with changes in urinary organic acid profiles in 8 full-term, breast-fed neonates who received phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia, and in 10 full-term, breastfed controls. Riboflavin status was assessed by measuring flavin adenine dinucleotide saturation of erythrocyte glutathione reductase. All 8 neonates exposed to phototherapy developed riboflavin deficiency (p less than 0.001). Riboflavin deficiency was progressive with the duration of phototherapy. None of the controls was riboflavin deficient. Urine organic acid profiles indicative of mitochondrial acyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity (fatty acid beta-oxidation, quantitated by gas chromatography mass spectrometry) showed no changes between the study and control groups in mono-, di-, or tricarboxylic acids or other organic acids. The riboflavin deficiency induced by phototherapy in full-term neonates was not of sufficient severity to limit riboflavin-dependent fatty acid oxidation.

Birth Weight

Comparison of the effectiveness of single-direction and double-direction phototherapy for neonatal jaundice.

Two matched groups of Chinese infants with "idiopathic" jaundice were subjected to phototherapy, one group to "single-direction" phototherapy and the other to "double-direction" phototherapy. The total energy output on the skin of the infants was similar in both groups. The 24-hour fall in bilirubin levels was almost identical in the two groups; the number of infants in each group achieving bilirubin levels less than 11 mg/100 ml at 24, 48, and 72 hours was statistically very similar too. Where the energy output can be adjusted to supply a constant dose on the infant (by varying the energy output in inverse proportion to the skin area exposed), the effect of varying the skin area under phototherapy is minimal. However, the total area of skin exposed to phototherapy under uniform lighting conditions is important because it determines the dose of energy output acting on it, and hence the effectiveness of the procedure.

Bilirubin

Phototherapy for neonatal jaundice.

Phototherapy is now the preferred method of treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia by virtue of its noninvasive nature and its relative freedom from major complications. It is also convenient, easy to use, and inexpensive in terms of personnel, equipment, and disposals. Long-term experience with phototherapy has demonstrated its safety as well as efficacy. With high-intensity phototherapy at saturation dose, even severe hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia can be adequately controlled; only pack-cell transfusions are required to correct the resulting anemia. It should be stressed, however, that adequate monitoring of the well-being of the baby together with the bilirubin levels should always be observed carefully. The lamps should be kept cool during phototherapy and be changed regularly after every 2000 hours of use. Observing such precautions will ensure the efficacy and safety of phototherapy.

Age Factors

Clinical application of phototherapy in neonatal jaundice.

Phototherapy is effective in preventing jaundice in the LBW infant. Using the schedule of lights on for 12 hours and off for 12 hours, continuous phototherapy was more effective than intermittent phototherapy. Metabolic requirements of the infant during phototherapy appear to increase. Whether these can be offset by appropriate therapy requires further study. No deleterious long-term effects of phototherapy were found on 2-year follow-up.

Body Weight

Intracellular deoxyribonucleic acid--modifying activity of intermittent phototherapy.

Phototherapy is capable of damaging the genetic material of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells at fluences considerably less than that received by irradiated infants. It has been suggested that intermittent phototherapy, with varying on-off cycles, may offer theoretical advantages since the total light dosage received by the exposed infant is reduced. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of intermittent phototherapy on the genetic material of human cells in tissue culture. Intermittent illumination produced more DNA damage than a similar light dosage administered continuously. These results suggest that intermittent phototherapy regimens may prove more deleterious to irradiated infants than continuous phototherapy.

Cells, Cultured