Phototherapy for hyperbilirubinaemia in low birthweight infants

Phototherapy

“…Phototherapy was started in the Derby Special Care Baby Unit soon after the publication of his paper, although a carefully controlled study of its value in preterm babies was not published until much later. The results (Elliott, Moncrieff, and George, 1974) fully confirmed Dr. Cremer's original work, as does a later study on very low birthweight babies (Moncrieff and Dunn, 1976…”

Phototherapy for hyperbilirubinaemia in very low birthweight infants.

“…Details of treatment, nursing care of the babies, and the precautions observed were the same as already described (Elliott et al, 1974). 17 of the babies died within 48 hours of birth and did not develop significant jaundice.…”

“…The less mature the baby, however, the more rapidly the plasma bilirubin rises, and for this reason it seemed unethical to include babies weighing less than 1500 g at birth in our previous controlled study (Elliott et al, 1974). Few babies under 1500 g birthweight are included in other series, and we have not found a report devoted exclusively to phototherapy in these infants.…”

“…Phototherapy controls hyperbilirubinaemia in low birthweight infants when used prophylactically (Lucey, Ferreiro, and Hewitt 1968) or selectively for babies whose plasma bilirubin level exceeds 10 mg/100 ml (Elliott, Moncrieff, and George 1974). The less mature the baby, however, the more rapidly the plasma bilirubin rises, and for this reason it seemed unethical to include babies weighing less than 1500 g at birth in our previous controlled study (Elliott et al, 1974).…”

Infrared irradiance from phototherapy units and the effect on osmolality of serum and urine in term infants.

“…An infant might therefore be nursed in error below its optimal environment. On the other hand, the high radiant energy found at baby level is transformed into heat and may increase the infant's skin temperature with the attendant risk of an increased incidence in preterm infants of apnoea (Daily et al, 1969), as well as overheating (Elliot et al, 1974), and dehydration. Both these doubts and the osmolar stress can be removed by interposing a suitable 6-mm acrylic sheet 2-12 cm above the incubator, and this is strongly recommended if locally made, uncalibrated units are used.…”