# Daycare-simulated interrupted phototherapy for neonatal jaundice: a randomized controlled trial

## TL;DR

A study compared 10-hour daycare-style phototherapy with 24-hour continuous treatment for neonatal jaundice and found both similarly effective.

## Contribution

A daycare-simulated 10-hour phototherapy protocol was tested and shown to be feasible for low-risk neonates.

## Key findings

- The mean rate of bilirubin reduction was not significantly different between 10-hour and 24-hour phototherapy.
- Post-treatment bilirubin levels were slightly higher in the 10-hour group but not clinically significant.
- No neonates required additional phototherapy, indicating safety and effectiveness of the daycare model.

## Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of daycare-simulated interrupted phototherapy versus continuous phototherapy for treating neonatal jaundice. A parallel randomized controlled trial with one-to-one allocation was conducted involving low-risk jaundiced neonates. The neonates in the intervention group received 10 h of phototherapy, while the control group received continuous phototherapy for 24 h. Total serum bilirubin (TSB) was measured before the start of phototherapy and at 24 h of treatment. Seventy-four neonates were recruited, and 37 neonates were randomly allocated to each group. The mean rate of fall of TSB per hour was not statistically significantly different between the intervention and control groups (1.71 versus 1.9 µmol/L/h; p = 0.529). The mean of TSB post-treatment in the intervention group was higher than in the control group and statistically significant (182 versus 158 µmol/L; p = 0.045) but not clinically significant, as none of the neonates required reinstitution or continuation of phototherapy.

Conclusion: Ten hours of phototherapy which could be given in daycare may be effective and safe.

Trial registration: This trial wasregistered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials (trial ID: ANZCTR 12624000860561) prospectively on 12 July 2024.
What is Known:• Intermittent phototherapy is known to be as effective as continuous phototherapy.What is New:• We designed a study in which phototherapy was interrupted after 10 h, simulating daycare phototherapy.• Daycare phototherapy for 10 h may be feasible in treating neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in low-risk neonates.

What is Known:

• Intermittent phototherapy is known to be as effective as continuous phototherapy.

What is New:

• We designed a study in which phototherapy was interrupted after 10 h, simulating daycare phototherapy.

• Daycare phototherapy for 10 h may be feasible in treating neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in low-risk neonates.