Light-emitting Diodes versus Compact Fluorescent Tubes for Phototherapy in Neonatal Jaundice: A randomised control trial

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Introduction: Newer light emitting diodes (LED) phototherapy units have become indigenous part in the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia almost replacing the conventional compact fluorescent light (CFL) units. Only few studies from India available compare the efficacies of two, so a randomised control study was undertaken. Methods: 60 healthy neonates ≥ 35 weeks gestational age were randomised into CFL and LED groups using computerised random number sequence. The rate of fall of bilirubin levels at 6 hours and at completion along with total duration of phototherapy in both groups was measured. Results analysed by standard statistical methods. Results: LED phototherapy units showed higher rate of fall bilirubin at 6hrs (LED 0.41± 0.10mg/dl/hr VS CFL 0.23± 0.17 mg/dl/hr, C.I=95%, p<0.05) and after completion of therapy (LED 0.29± 0.08 mg/dl/hr VS CFL 0.19± 0.06 mg/dl/hr with p<0.05 C.I 95%) compared to CFL group. There was no statistically significant difference in total duration of therapy in both the groups (LED 18.8±8hrs VS CFL 20±6 hrs C.I=95% p=0.56). 2 among CFL group had failure of phototherapy whereas 1 was lost to follow up in LED group. Both groups didn’t show any side effects. Conclusion: The LED phototherapy units are more efficacious in terms of higher rate of fall of bilirubin levels in similar time duration compared to CFL units. But the total duration of phototherapy was equal; it can be because there was significant difference between both the groups in terms of bilirubin levels at start and at end of therapy which couldn’t be prevented even after effective randomisation.