Background: Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most common problems in
term newborns and the phototherapy is the most widespread treatment for
lowering bilirubin concentration in neonates. The purpose of this study
is to compare the effectiveness of conventional phototherapy, double
phototherapy and intensive phototherapy in decreasing serum bilirubin.
Methods: This interventional study was done on 60 neonates divided
randomly in three groups. Infants in group 1 received conventional
phototherapy, in group 2 double phototherapy and in group 3 intensive
phototherapy. The criteria for inclusion in the study were a weight
>2500 gr and serum bilirubin level ≥18 mg/dl. Serum bilirubin
level, rectal temperature and specific gravity of urine were evaluated
6 and 12 hours after phototherapy. The data were analyzed with SPSS and
Anova soft wares. Findings: The mean total bilirubin level of single,
double and intensive phototherapy groups at the beginning of therapy
were 19.7±1.6, 20.3±2.4 and 21.1±2.0 mg/dl respectively,
there was no significant difference between the values. After 12 hours
of therapy the mean total bilirubin levels of single, double and
intensive phototherapy group were 18.0±2.2, 15.7±2.3 and
16.8±2.5 mg/dl respectively. Serum bilirubin concentration
decreased during phototherapy (p=0.000) and there were significant
differences between three groups (p>0.014). Body temperature
increased in double phototherapy group (p=0.001), but it was stable in
other groups. There was no significant difference between the groups
(p=0.6). And no significant difference of the mean value of urine
specific gravity in the three groups was observed after 12 hours of
phototherapy. Conclusion: Our study showed that intensive phototherapy
is more effective than single and safer than double phototherapy in
reduction of bilirubin in jaundiced newborns
