Light-emitting Diodes versus Compact Fluorescent Tubes for Phototherapy in Neonatal Jaundice: A randomised control trial

Abstract

Introduction: Newer light emitting diodes (LED) phototherapy units have become indigenous part in the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia almost replacing the conventional compact fluorescent light (CFL) units. Only few studies from India available compare the efficacies of two, so a randomised control study was undertaken. Methods: 60 healthy neonates ≥ 35 weeks gestational age were randomised into CFL and LED groups using computerised random number sequence. The rate of fall of bilirubin levels at 6 hours and at completion along with total duration of phototherapy in both groups was measured. Results analysed by standard statistical methods. Results: LED phototherapy units showed higher rate of fall bilirubin at 6hrs (LED 0.41± 0.10mg/dl/hr VS CFL 0.23± 0.17 mg/dl/hr, C.I=95%, p<0.05) and after completion of therapy (LED 0.29± 0.08 mg/dl/hr VS CFL 0.19± 0.06 mg/dl/hr with p<0.05 C.I 95%) compared to CFL group. There was no statistically significant difference in total duration of therapy in both the groups (LED 18.8±8hrs VS CFL 20±6 hrs C.I=95% p=0.56). 2 among CFL group had failure of phototherapy whereas 1 was lost to follow up in LED group. Both groups didn't show any side effects. Conclusion: The LED phototherapy units are more efficacious in terms of higher rate of fall of bilirubin levels in similar time duration compared to CFL units. But the total duration of phototherapy was equal; it can be because there was significant difference between both the groups in terms of bilirubin levels at start and at end of therapy which couldn't be prevented even after effective randomisation.

Light Emitting Diode (LED) Phototherapy versus Conventional Phototherapy in Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia: A Single Blinded Randomized Control Trial from Coastal India

“…All the neonates in our study maintained euthermia under phototherapy. This was similar to the studies by Reddy TR et al [5] and Uraş N et al [24].…”

“…Few of such comparative studies on efficacy of conventional and LED phototherapy done previously were inconclusive [5–9]. However the Cochrane review in 2011 concluded that phototherapy with either LED light source or conventional light sources decreased serum total bilirubin levels at similar rates [2].…”

Comparison of efficacy, safety & satisfaction of intermittent versus continuous phototherapy in hyperbilirubinaemic newborns ≥35 week gestation: A randomized controlled trial

“…Although LED devices are potentially more effective than CFL devices because of the higher luminous intensity, irradiance and narrow wavelength band, studies showed that clinical efficacy of LED was only comparable with CFL 22 30 . Our results were in concordance with other studies using Super LED device with adjusted footprint area 31 32 . However, the higher efficacy of LED in the CPT group compared to IPT group in CFL and LED subgroups, as suggested by our subgroup analysis, could be an inflation of type 1 error and further adequately powered trials testing this hypothesis would be required.…”

Comparative study between CFL and LED phototherapy devices for unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in neonates

“…Mean rate of fall of serum bilirubin was significantly higher in LED group in our study. Similar findings were observed by studies done by Karagol et al and Reddy et alwhere the rate of fall of TSB was significantly higher for LED group [17,18]. Contrary to our study several other studies however reported that the rate of fall of TSB was comparable between two groups [6,19].…”