Efficacy of home phototherapy in neonatal jaundice

Abstract

Background: Jaundice is one of the most common problems in the neonatal period. Phototherapy is one of the most commonly used treatments for jaundice that can be used as a simple, practical home-based treatment. Hospitalization during the first days of birth to conduct phototherapy may result in problems like nosocomial infections and mother separation from the baby. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of home phototherapy in the duration of treatment, mean bilirubin level, and complications. Methods: This clinical trial was performed on newborns with jaundice in Isfahan health centers. The sample was randomly divided into two groups: Phototherapy at home (32 patients) and phototherapy at the hospital (32 patients). A demographic questionnaire and a researcher-made checklist were used to collect data on variables such as the duration of treatment, the frequency of treatment failure, mean bilirubin, and phototherapy complications. Results: The mean duration of phototherapy in both groups was two days, which showed no significant difference (P = 0.32). The most common complication in both groups was skin rashes and restlessness, which also showed no significant between two groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of treatment failure (P = 0.246). Statistical tests also revealed that bilirubin reduction was the same in both groups. Conclusions: Home phototherapy can be suggested as a safe treatment with no complication to the patients.