High-intensity phototherapy for the treatment of severe nonhaemolytic neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Global Prevalence of Severe Neonatal Jaundice among Hospital Admissions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Evidence regarding the adverse burden of severe neonatal jaundice (SNJ) in hospitalized neonates in resource-constrained settings is sparse. We attempted to determine the prevalence of SNJ, described using clinical outcome markers, in all World Health Organization (WHO) regions in the world. Data were sourced from Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Library, African Journals Online, and Global Index Medicus. Hospital-based studies, including the total number of neonatal admissions with at least one clinical outcome marker of SNJ, defined as acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE), exchange blood transfusions (EBT), jaundice-related death, or abnormal brainstem audio-evoked response (aBAER), were independently reviewed for inclusion in this meta-analysis. Of 84 articles, 64 (76.19%) were from low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), and 14.26% of the represented neonates with jaundice in these studies had SNJ. The prevelance of SNJ among all admitted neonates varied across WHO regions, ranging from 0.73 to 3.34%. Among all neonatal admissions, SNJ clinical outcome markers for EBT ranged from 0.74 to 3.81%, with the highest percentage observed in the African and South-East Asian regions; ABE ranged from 0.16 to 2.75%, with the highest percentages observed in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions; and jaundice-related deaths ranged from 0 to 1.49%, with the highest percentage observed in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions. Among the cohort of neonates with jaundice, the prevalence of SNJ ranged from 8.31 to 31.49%, with the highest percentage observed in the African region; EBT ranged from 9.76 to 28.97%, with the highest percentages reported for the African region; ABE was highest in the Eastern Mediterranean (22.73%) and African regions (14.51%). Jaundice-related deaths were 13.02%, 7.52%, 2.01% and 0.07%, respectively, in the Eastern Mediterranean, African, South-East Asian and European regions, with none reported in the Americas. aBAER numbers were too small, and the Western Pacific region was represented by only one study, limiting the ability to make regional comparisons. The global burden of SNJ in hospitalized neonates remains high, causing substantial, preventable morbidity and mortality especially in LMICs.

Effectiveness of Dual-Blanket Phototherapy Compared With Combination Phototherapy on Rate of Bilirubin Decline and Treatment Duration

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of dual light-emitting diode (LED) blanket phototherapy compared with combination LED phototherapy on the rate of total serum bilirubin (TSB) decline and treatment duration among full-term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of 255 newborns with hyperbilirubinemia admitted to a free-standing, university-affiliated, nonprofit, tertiary care Children's Hospital was conducted. Phototherapy type, duration, and rate of TSB decline were compared.

RESULTS

The rate of TSB decline was significantly higher among neonates treated with combination LED phototherapy than neonates treated with dual-blanket phototherapy (p <.0001). There was no significant difference in phototherapy duration.

DISCUSSION

Combination phototherapy resulted in a more rapid decline in TSB but did not shorten phototherapy duration compared to dual-blanket phototherapy. Phototherapy duration may have been confounded by variability in the timing of TSB laboratory draws. Further comparative effectiveness studies are recommended.

An evaluation of phototherapy device performance in a tertiary health facility

INTRODUCTION

A range of phototherapy devices are commercially available. The American Academy of Pediatrics (2004) recommends routine intensity measurement of phototherapy devices to ensure that babies affected by hyperbilirubinemia receive effective phototherapy.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to calculate the irradiance decay velocity of phototherapy devices used in a tertiary care hospital to evaluate whether current maintenance procedures for phototherapy devices are effective, and to contribute to the improvement of a standardized maintenance procedure in daily practice, thus helping to ensure that all babies affected by hyperbilirubinemia receive prompt treatment.

METHODS

This research represents a prospective observational study conducted at Dr. Soetomo Academic Teaching Hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia from February 2019-July 2019. The intensities of 11 phototherapy devices were measured at specific times using a Bili Blanket Meter II. We calculated the Δ irradiance differences in μW/cm2/nm and calculated them as velocity μW/cm2/nm/hour of use.

RESULTS

Among the 11 phototherapy devices included in this study, nine were fluorescent and two were light-emitting diode (LED) machines. The mean (standard deviation) irradiance decay velocity of the fluorescent lamps was 0.02 (±0.03) μW/cm2/nm/hour of use, while that of the LED lamps was 0.015 (±0.007) μW/cm2/nm/hour of use. The fastest irradiance decay velocity was 0.08 μW/cm2/nm/hour of use, while the slowest irradiance decay velocity was <0.01 μW/cm2/nm/hour of use, both of which were from fluorescent-based devices. There was one fluorescent-based device that provided an intensity lower than the therapeutic level.

CONCLUSION

Irradiance decay occurred in all phototherapy device lamps. It is important to perform routinely intensity measurements, regardless of manufacturer recommendations, to avoid ineffective phototherapy resulting from intensities lower than the required therapeutic levels.

Adoption of the American Academy of Pediatrics' neonatal hyperbilirubinemia guidelines and its effect on blood exchange transfusion rate in a tertiary care center in Amman, Jordan

INTRODUCTION

Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia can cause mortality and serious morbidities. When phototherapy fails, neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia should undergo double volume blood exchange transfusion (BET). As this procedure carries a significant risk of mortality and morbidity, adopting guidelines for the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is critical to avoid hyperbilirubinemia toxicity and also the complication of an unindicated procedure.

METHODS

This study investigated the causes, complications, and trend of BET rate in our unit over a 13-year period. The medical charts and laboratory databases of all infants who underwent BET in Jordan University Hospital between 2003 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The rate of exchange cases decreased significantly after adopting the guidelines of American Academy of Pediatrics (P<0.0001). Most neonates were term newborns (69%). Average birth weight was 2,800 g. The most common causes of exchange transfusion were non-hemolytic conditions. Late prematurity alone accounted for 20% of the cases. Thrombocytopenia was the most commonly encountered complication (33%). Chronic neurological complications were seen in 12% of those who were followed for >12 months of age.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed a clear decline in the rate of BET after implementing the guidelines of American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition to improving the strategies for the identification and follow-up of at-risk newborns, we should intensify our efforts to prevent the progression of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia to the exchange level by enhancing parents' awareness of this potentially harmful neonatal condition.

Can Exchange Transfusion Normalize Serum Levels of Copper, Zinc, and Magnesium in Severe Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia?

BACKGROUND

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a frequently encountered problem. Erythrocytes, especially reticulocytes are rich in copper (Cu) and magnesium (Mg) so its serum levels increase after hemolysis. Zinc (Zn) plays an important role in synthesis of some enzymes included in the bilirubin metabolism and may cause hemolysis. Exchange transfusion is the main treatment for severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia but can exchange transfusion affect the previous trace elements.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We measured Cu, Zn, and Mg serum levels in full-term neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Minia University hospital with severe indirect hyperbilirubinemia before and after exchange transfusion.

RESULTS

There were significant higher serum Cu and Mg and lower Zn serum levels in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia than controls and their levels were significantly normalized after exchange transfusion. Significant positive correlations between the total bilirubin levels and hemoglobin, Cu and Mg serum levels and significant negative correlations with Zn levels were present. There were no significant correlations between maternal and neonatal serum levels of any of them.

CONCLUSIONS

Exchange transfusion can normalize the significant higher Cu and Mg and lower Zn serum levels in neonates with severe indirect hyperbilirubinemia which were not related to their maternal serum levels.

Dose-response relationship of phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Using light-emitting diodes during conventional phototherapy, it is possible to reduce the distance from light source to infant, thus increasing light irradiance. The objective of this study was to search for a "saturation point" (ie, an irradiation level above which there is no further decrease in total serum bilirubin [TsB]). This was a prospective randomized study performed in the NICU of Aalborg Hospital, Denmark.

METHODS

One hundred fifty-one infants (gestational age ≥ 33 weeks) with uncomplicated hyperbilirubinemia were randomized to 1 of 4 distances from the phototherapy device to the mattress (20, 29, 38, and 47 cm). TsB was measured before and after 24 hours of phototherapy and irradiance every eighth hour. Main outcome was 24-hour decrease of TsB expressed in percent, ( TsB(0-24), difference between TsB(0) and TsB(24) [%]).

RESULTS

A highly significant linear relation was seen between light irradiance and TsB(0-24) (%) (P < .001): when the irradiance increased from 20 to 55 μW/cm(2)/nm, TsB(0-24) (%) increased from approximately 30% to 50%. In addition, smooth regression showed no tendency for TsB(0-24) (%) to level off as irradiance increased. TsB(0-24) (%) was negatively correlated to birth weight and positively to formula volume. Average weight gain during phototherapy was 1%, independent of light irradiance.

CONCLUSIONS

By using light-emitting diodes, we found a linear relation between light irradiance in the range of 20 to 55 μW/cm(2)/nm and a decrease in TsB after 24 hours of therapy, with no evidence of a saturation point.