Evaluating the efficacy of phototherapy devices.

The field of newborn phototherapy (PT) has clearly arrived at a strategic period of transition from the use of traditional light sources, such as fluorescent, halogen and halogen/fiberoptic, towards the use of presently fast developing, versatile solid state light emitting diode (LED) technology. The time also appears to be ripe for the replacement of ineffective, defective, and worn-out devices that deliver inadequate therapy, as has been demonstrated through recent surveys in India, Nigeria, and Brazil [1-3]. Because of a rapidly expanding global market for PT devices, the medical device industry, particularly in India, appears to be actively engaged in the production of newer and, undoubtedly, more effective and affordable LEDbased devices.