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Two fiberoptic phototherapy systems are rated Acceptable for treating infant jaundice. This convenient technology offers an alternative to conventional lamps for home and hospital use.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Medical device technology
- Phototherapy
Background:
- Infant jaundice, a symptom of hyperbilirubinemia, affects about 60% of US newborns annually.
- While most cases don't require treatment, phototherapy is common, with high bilirubin levels linked to brain damage.
- Current hospital discharge practices often miss early jaundice detection, necessitating convenient home-use devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance, safety, and convenience of three fiberoptic phototherapy systems.
- To compare fiberoptic systems with conventional overhead phototherapy lamps.
Main Methods:
- Assessed three fiberoptic phototherapy systems (pads and light sources) from different manufacturers.
- Evaluated device performance, safety, and convenience for hospital and home use.
- Compared findings with conventional overhead phototherapy lamps.
Main Results:
- Two fiberoptic systems received an 'Acceptable' rating for light performance, ranked equally.
- One system was rated 'Acceptable--Not Recommended' due to lower power output compared to others.
- Fiberoptic systems offer potential advantages over conventional lamps.
Conclusions:
- Two fiberoptic phototherapy systems demonstrate acceptable performance for treating infant jaundice.
- The choice of system should consider a thorough understanding of the technology's benefits and limitations.
- Fiberoptic systems present a viable, convenient alternative for both hospital and home-based phototherapy.
Abstract:
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), about 60% of all newborns in the United States each year are diagnosed with jaundice, a major symptom of hyperbilirubinemia. Even though only a small percentage of these infants will have bilirubin levels that, according to the current AAP practice parameters, are high enough to require treatment, many of these infants will be treated with phototherapy (past research has associated very high bilirubin levels with brain damage). Because jaundice is unlikely to be noticed within the typical 24-hour period before discharge from the hospital, a phototherapy device that is convenient and safe for use in the home, as well as in the hospital, is desirable. In the following study, we address the performance, safety, and convenience of three fiberoptic phototherapy systems (which consist of pads and light sources), from three manufacturers, that can be used in either a hospital or the home. We also assess the advantages and disadvantages of this technology compared with those of the conventional overhead phototherapy lamps that are still commonly used. Two systems are rated Acceptable based on their light performance and are ranked equally; one system is rated Acceptable--Not Recommended because it does not provide the typical power levels obtainable with either of the other two evaluated fiberoptic systems or conventional overhead lamps. Readers are cautioned not to base purchasing or use decisions on our ratings alone, but on a thorough understanding of the issues surrounding fiberoptic phototherapy systems, which can be gained by reading this issue in its entirety. Also see the Clinical Perspective, "Hyperbilirubinemia--When and How to Treat?," for pertinent clinical background information; the supplementary articles "Uses and Limitations of Radiometers" and "Uniformity of Light" for additional technical background information; and the supplementary article "Operating Costs of Phototherapy Devices" for additional purchasing information.