Efficacy of Home Phototherapy in Neonatal Jaundice

Abstract

Background: Jaundice is one of the most common problems in the neonatal period. Phototherapy is one of the most commonly used treatments for jaundice that can be used as a simple, practical home-based treatment. Hospitalization during the first days of birth to conduct phototherapy may result in problems like nosocomial infections and mother separation from the baby. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of home phototherapy in the duration of treatment, mean bilirubin level, and complications. Methods: This clinical trial was performed on newborns with jaundice in Isfahan health centers. The sample was randomly divided into two groups: Phototherapy at home (32 patients) and phototherapy at the hospital (32 patients). A demographic questionnaire and a researcher-made checklist were used to collect data on variables such as the duration of treatment, the frequency of treatment failure, mean bilirubin, and phototherapy complications. Results: The mean duration of phototherapy in both groups was two days, which showed no significant difference (P = 0.32). The most common complication in both groups was skin rashes and restlessness, which also showed no significant between two groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of treatment failure (P = 0.246). Statistical tests also revealed that bilirubin reduction was the same in both groups. Conclusions: Home phototherapy can be suggested as a safe treatment with no complication to the patients.

Effect of Phototherapy on Zinc Status in Term Neonates With Indirect Hyperbilirubinemia

“…The current study revealed that there was gradual decrease in bilirubin level as the mean difference of the TSB at admission was (16.58± 1.31) and at discharge was (8.76± 0.67) with highly statistically significant difference, however; there was no statistically significant differences in the mean value of the DSB on admission and at discharge (P=0.179). This is agreed to some extent with a recent study in 2019 that revealed that bilirubin level was (16.46 ± 1.47) in the first day (at admission) and (10.08 ± 1.07) at the third day (Sardari et al, 2019).…”

“…As regards the duration of phototherapy, the current study came in agreement with Sardari et al, (2019) that revealed that the mean duration of phototherapy in their study was 48 hours. Regarding the side effects of phototherapy, the current study revealed that the most common complication was skin rash, which developed in about 4% of cases only.…”

Acceptability and operational feasibility of community health worker-led home phototherapy treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in rural Bangladesh

“…[8,9] Home phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia has been found to be effective in some high-income countries when conducted under the supervision of nurses. [10][11][12] In Bangladesh, several studies showed the effectiveness of a home-based community health worker (CHW) approach in delivering maternal and newborn health interventions including message delivery for health promotion, identi cation of sick newborns, hospital referral as well as home treatment of newborn sepsis. [13][14][15][16][17] In Bangladesh and other LMICs around the world, CHWs have successfully implemented home-based diabetes management, postnatal newborn care, maternal and child nutrition, and child development interventions.…”

Effective factors on implementation of pediatric home care program amid COVID 19 pandemic: Facilitators and barriers

“…[ 11 12 13 14 ] For instance, Sardari et al . [ 15 ] revealed that at-home phototherapy can be a suitable alternative to the treatment of neonatal jaundice, reducing parental stress and preventing hospitalization of infants. [ 16 ] Some researchers designed home-care programs for a number of children with physical disabilities and chronic conditions and their families through several studies.…”