Characterization of Phototherapy at Home in Neonatal with Jaundice

Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common findings in examination of neonates. Phototherapy is a health and safe procedure as well as one of the most common methods for treating of indirect hyperbilirubinemia. The aim of this study was to compare characteristics of home phototherapy with hospital phototherapy in jaundiced neonates.
Material and This research was a cohort study. This study was carried out on 120 term(and older than 24 hours) neonates who was admitted to the pediatric ward of Shohadaye Kargar Hospital, Yazd, Iran and also the refereed neonates to Yazd Isatis Emdad for phototherapy. The neonates was divided into 2 groups (home phototherapy and hospital phototherapy), randomly. Phototherapy was performed in both groups. Serum bilirubin was measured and recorded in neonates in the beginning of phototherapy and after 24 hour. Data was collected and analyzed by appropriate statistical tests using SPSS software version 17. According to the present study, the average serum bilirubin level in home phototherapy and hospital phototherapy was 10.52 and 10.97 respectively. (SD 2.09 vs. 1.72). Bilirubin decreased 3.84 mg/dl in home phototherapy and 3.73 mg/dl in hospital phototherapy. The average duration of phototherapy at home was lower than hospital phototherapy. In addition, average cost of phototherapy at home was lower than hospital phototherapy. Dehydration was not obvious in the study duration. Diarrhea was found in 2 neonates at home and 6 neonates in hospital during phototherapy. During phototherapy, 31 neonates at home and 38 neonates in hospital suffered skin rash. Satisfaction rate was 92.3% in hope phototherapy and 70% in hospital phototherapy. According to this study, age, gender, weight at birth and phototherapy complications were equal in home phototherapy and hospital phototherapy. Decreased level of bilirubin in home phototherapy was same to hospital phototherapy. Moreover, Duration of phototherapy and costs in home group were lower than hospital group, significantly.