Phototherapy for Hyperbilirubinemia

Abstract

The advent of phototherapy and its implementation in many countries of the world and its impact on hyperbilirubinemia treatment can hardly be overestimated. Cremer (Cremer, R., Perryman, P., and Richards, D. 1958) and others noted that jaundiced newborn infants exposed to sunlight seemed to appear less jaundiced than those not exposed to the light. Broughton, and especially Jerold Lucey, among others were instrumental in pushing the concept that proper wave lengths of light were capable of lowering serum levels of unconjugated bilirubin (see Figs. 1 and 2).