Comparison of Gallium nitride derived light-emitting diodes (LED) and compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) phototherapy units in management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia at tertiary neonatal centre

Abstract

Background: Light emitting diode (LED) devices have been shown to be as effective as any other phototherapy device by in vitro and few in vivo studies, but the clinical data comparing LEDs with compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) phototherapy units are limited. Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of Gallium nitride derived LED versus CFL phototherapy units. Methods: Hemodynamically stable neonates of >34 weeks of gestation age, suffering from neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and requiring phototherapy were included in the study. Rh and ABO incompatible babies were also included. Jaundiced newborn who were requiring or already received exchange transfusion, sick newborns (e.g. birth asphyxia, acidosis, hypoglycaemia, respiratory distress, septicaemia etc.), newborns with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia and babies who developed any significant complication during the course of phototherapy were excluded. Results: The mean baseline photo irradiation in CFL group was 40.638.03 ?W/cm2/nm, compared to 48.919.24 ?W/cm2/nm in LED group (p value - 0.0006) and mean fall rate of serum bilirubin was significantly more in LED group (0.180.059 mg/dl/hr) as compared to CFL group (0.160.050 mg/dl/hr) (p value - 0.022), and mean duration of phototherapy in CFL group was 38.3514.96 hours compared to 33.8312.82 hours in LED group (p value - 0.02). Conclusion: Results of our study shows that LED phototherapy unit is better than CFL phototherapy unit for management of neonatal jaundice in terms of rate of fall of serum bilirubin, shorter duration of phototherapy and power saving device with minimal adverse effects.