Comparison of triple and double phototherapy in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Introduction: Icterus is the most common medical problem in neonates. Phototherapy is standard treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. This study aims to compare efficacy and length of hospitalization of double and triple phototherapy in term newborns with indirect hyperbilirubinemia. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial 40 healthy term newborns (gestational age>37 weeks) with weight≥2500 gr and bilirubin≥12 and ≥15 mg/dl in the second and third day respectively were randomly assigned to triple (n=20) or double phototherapy (n=20) groups. Total and direct serum bilirubin was measured at admission 8 16 and 24 hours after beginning of phototherapy and thus each 12 hours until discharge (when bilirubin reached ≤10 mg/dl). The data were analyzed by repeated measurement and T-Test. Results: The repeated measurement test showed that the phototherapy reduced Indirect bilirubin in both groups (P