Efficacy of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice is increased by the use of low-cost white reflecting curtains.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the addition of low-cost reflecting curtains to a standard phototherapy unit could increase effectiveness of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice.


METHODS
Randomised controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
Level-one nursery of the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malayasia.


METHODS
Term newborns with uncomplicated neonatal jaundice presenting in the first week of life.


METHODS
Phototherapy with white curtains hanging from the sides of the phototherapy unit (study group, n = 50) was compared with single phototherapy without curtains (control group, n = 47).


METHODS
The primary outcome was the mean difference in total serum bilirubin measured at baseline and after 4 h of phototherapy. The secondary outcome was the duration of phototherapy.


RESULTS
The mean (standard deviation) decrease in total serum bilirubin levels after 4 h of phototherapy was significantly (p<0.001) higher in the study group (27.62 (25.24) micromol/l) than in the control group (4.04 (24.27) micromol/l). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that the median duration of phototherapy was significantly shorter in the study group (12 h) than in the control group (34 h; chi(2) change 45.2; p<0.001; hazards ratio 0.20; 95% confidence interval 0.12 to 0.32). No difference in adverse events was noted in terms of hyperthermia or hypothermia, weight loss, rash, loose stools or feeding intolerance.


CONCLUSIONS
Hanging white curtains around phototherapy units significantly increases efficacy of phototherapy in the treatment of neonatal jaundice without evidence of increased adverse effects.
Djokomuljanto
S
S
Department of Paediatrics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Quah
B S
BS
Surini
Y
Y
Noraida
R
R
Ismail
N Z N
NZ
Hansen
T W R
TW
Van Rostenberghe
H
H
D001512:Bedding and Linens; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D003116:Color; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001663:Bilirubin