The Effect of Intensive Phototherapy on Management of Hyperbilirubinemia in Neonates with the Gestational Age of 34 Weeks and More

Background: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most common causes of neonatal morbidity and a global health priority. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intensive phototherapy on management of hyperbilirubinemia with different etiologies. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 219 neonates with indirect hyperbilirubinemia, who had the indication for phototherapy, admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Akbar-abadi Hospital, Tehran, Iran, during 2014-2016. The levels of total bilirubin, hemoglobin, reticulocyte, and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme were examined and direct Coombs test was performed during hospital stay. The participants were assigned to four groups based on the etiology of hyperbilirubinemia and underwent intensive phototherapy.Finally, the level of total bilirubin was compared among the groups to assess the effect of intensive phototherapy. Results: According to the results of this study, nonhemolytic jaundice was the most frequent cause of hyperbilirubinemia (82.19%). The mean bilirubin levels after 6 and 24 hours of intensive phototherapy were 4 and 6.2 mg/dl, respectively. Intensive phototherapy after 6 hours led to more significant reduction in the total bilirubin level of the neonates with total bilirubin level of higher than 14 mg/dl in comparison to those with the total bilirubin level of 14 mg/dl or less. The total bilirubin level was significantly decreased in all the groups after 6 and 24 hours of intensive phototherapy. Comparison of the rate of decrement of the total bilirubin level among the groups demonstrated that the neonates with ABO incompatibility showed the greatest decline after 6 and 24 hours of treatment (the rate of bilirubin decline: -5.16; P