A new blue light-emitting phototherapy device: a prospective randomized controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of a new phototherapy light source with a narrow luminous blue spectrum. The device, made with high-intensity gallium nitride light-emitting diodes (LEDs), was compared with conventional phototherapy at similar light intensities.


METHODS
Two university-affiliated community hospitals in Jerusalem.


METHODS
Prospective open randomized study.


METHODS
Sixty-nine jaundiced, but otherwise healthy, term infants who met the entry criteria for phototherapy set by the American Academy of Pediatrics' Practice Parameter.


METHODS
The duration of phototherapy and the rate of decrease in total serum bilirubin (TSB) concentration.


RESULTS
The mean TSB concentrations at initiation and termination of treatment did not differ between newborns receiving LED and those receiving conventional phototherapy. The duration of phototherapy and the rate of decrease in TSB concentration were not statistically different in the 2 groups. The average rate of decrease in TSB after adjustment by a linear regression analysis for confounding factors was -3.16 micromol/L/h (95% confidence limits -4.81, -1.51) in newborns receiving LED phototherapy compared with -2.19 micromol/L/h (-3.99, -0.40) in those treated with conventional phototherapy (P <.14). No side effects were noted in any of the newborns.


CONCLUSIONS
The blue gallium nitride LED device is as effective as conventional phototherapy and is readily accepted by nursing staff. Future LED phototherapy devices can provide much higher irradiance, and thus greater efficacy, and offer a new highly versatile approach to the treatment of jaundice.
Seidman
D S
DS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Moise
J
J
Ergaz
Z
Z
Laor
A
A
Vreman
H J
HJ
Stevenson
D K
DK
Gale
R
R
D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007565:Jaundice / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D001663:Bilirubin