Effectiveness of position change among infants during phototherapy in management of hyperbilirubinemia in late preterm and term neonate

Abstract

Neonatal jaundice is the yellowish staining of the white part of the eyes and skin in an infant because of high bilirubin levels. Untimely children have a lot higher occurrence of neonatal jaundice requiring remedial mediation than term infant. The present study aims to assess the effectiveness of position change among infants during phototherapy in the management of hyperbilirubinemia in late preterm and term neonate. A quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design with non-randomized control research design was used to conduct the study in Thiruvallur District Head Quarter Government Hospital. Thirty samples were selected by using a convenience sampling technique and were grouped into an experimental and control group; each consist of 15 samples. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding demographic variables and variables related to clinical proforma. Bilirubin level was monitored and recorded in the hyperbilirubinemia chart for both the groups. The neonates in the experimental group were subjected to a position change for every 2 hrs and the neonates in the control group were given regular care. The study results show that position change among infants during phototherapy was found to be effective in the reduction of serum bilirubin level considerably among infants in the experimental group than the infants in the control group. At the level of p<0.001. This indicates that position change is effective in reducing the bilirubin level and have an impact on the early recovery of the neonates.