Comparison of the Effectiveness of Single and Double Surface Light Emitting Diodes Phototherapy and Intensive Compact Fluorescent Phototherapy in the Treatment of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

Aim: In newborns with extremely high serum total bilirubin levels, the phototherapy method that reduces serum total bilirubin levels most rapidly should be applied to reduce the need for exchange transfusions and thus prevent the development of acute and/or chronic bilirubin encephalopathy. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of single or double light-emitting diode (LED) and intensive compact fluorescent tube (CFT) phototherapy in the first 4 hours of treatment for hyperbilirubinemia. Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data, and designed as a single-center, cross-sectional study. Sixty newborns born between 35 and 42 weeks of gestation and treated with intensive phototherapy were included in the study. Total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels were measured 4 hours after the initiation of treatment in neonates who received LED or CFT phototherapy, and the efficacy of these methods was compared. Results: The rate of decline in TSB was 1.07 mg/dL/h in CFT, 0.74 mg/dL/h in double LED, and 0.44 mg/dL/h in single LED phototherapy. Compact fluorescent tube and double LED phototherapy were found to be more effective than single LED phototherapy (p<0.01, p<0.01). Conclusion: In neonates with hyperbilirubinemia, intensive CFT or double LED phototherapy in the first few hours of treatment may reduce the risk of bilirubin encephalopathy