Effectiveness, Safety and Perceptions With the Use of One Phototherapy LED Device: a Sleeping Bag for Hospital Treatment of Neonatal Jaundice

Background: Jaundice due to hyperbilirubinemia is the most common entity that requires medical management in neonates. About 50% of full-term newborns and 80% of premature infants develop jaundice. The effectiveness of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice depends on two factors: the spectrum of light emitted and the spectral irradiation of light. An ideal phototherapy device should have a broad light emission surface, in order to cover the maximum of the body surface in the horizontal plane, it should be durable, generate relatively little heat and provide a wavelength and light intensity (radiation) optimal (460-490nm and ≥ 30uw / cm2 / nm). The conventional phototherapy devices use fluorescent lamps that emit heat and require eye protectors, in addition to increasing water losses, which requires a permanent monitoring of vital functions and temperature. Its use imposes hospitalization and consequently mother-child separation, always traumatic. The most recent devices use light emitting diodes (LED light) as the light source. Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and level of satisfaction of parents and healthcare team with one innovative device for phototherapy to which a LED light mesh has been incorporated (a sleeping bag ), comparing it with conventional phototherapy for hospitalized patients. Methods: randomized controlled clinical trial with newborns more than 2000 g of birth weight that required phototherapy according to the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics, admitted to the "Hospital Universitario San Ignacio Neonata Care Unit (NCU)" . The Protocol was evaluated and accepted by the Hospital and "Pontificia Universidad Javeriana" research committee. Informed consent was requested from parents and the authors declared no conflict of interest. Sample size and allocation: using the STATA 12 program, a sample size of 58 patients was calculated, 29 for each group, with significance level of 0.05, power of 80% and difference in bilirubin decreasing of at least 0,1 mg/dl/h with standard deviation of 0.14 mg/dl/h. A computer program randomized the allocation to the intervention and the concealment of the assignment was through sealed opaque envelopes. Seric bilirubin levels were taken at the start and at the end of phototherapy. Controls were at the beginning, every 8 hours and every 12 hours at the time of bilirubin stabilization in the case of hemolysis, or every 24 hours depending on risk factors. Axillary temperature was measured at the beginning and during phototherapy. Physical examination and daily water balance were performed. Parents and health personnel answered a survey on comfort and perceptions with the use of the devices at the end of the intervention. Analysis: Comparison of means was made for decrease of bilirubin levels and body temperatures and chi-square for incidence of side effects and results of the survey.