Decrease In Total Serum Bilirubin Research Articles

The effectiveness of Lactobacillus reuteri on serum bilirubin levels in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia with phototherapy

Background Hyperbilirubinemia occurs in 60% of full term and 80% of premature infants. Phototherapy is the main treatment, but it has side effects, sometimes requires hospitalization, and causes the baby to be separated from the mother. Underdeveloped gut microflora and increased enterohepatic circulation in newborns contribute to increased serum bilirubin levels in early life.
 Objective To assess the efficacy of adding probiotic L. reuteri on phototherapy in full-term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia.
 Methods In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, full term infants with hyperbilirubinemia at Dr. Zainoel Abidin Hospital, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia, were randomly assigned to either an intervention or control group. All subjects received phototherapy. The intervention group was also given five drops of L. reuteri once a day orally before phototherapy started, while the control group received a placebo. Bilirubin levels after 24-hour phototherapy were evaluated in both groups.
 Results A total of 42 term neonates met the inclusion criteria. The intervention group had a significantly greater decrease in total serum bilirubin (TSB) level (6,517 mg/dL) than did the control group (4,434 mg/dL) (P<0.001), as well in indirect bilirubin levels in the intervention group had decrease 6.40 mg/dL while in the control group 4.43 mg/dL after 24 hours of phototherapy (P<0.001).
 Conclusion In full-term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia who underwent 24-hour phototherapy, adding probiotic L. reuteri leads to a significantly greater reduction in total and indirect bilirubin levels compared to the control group.

Correlation between Percutaneous Biliary Drainage and Decrease in Serum Bilirubin

Background: Obstruction of the bile duct, whether caused by a tumor or a surgical injury, will cause: jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, and eventually, liver failure. The primary goal of percutaneous management is draining bile into the small intestine and achieving a drainage that is the most similar to the normal physiologic drainage, maintaining normal enterohepatic circulation. The present study aims to make a correlation between percutaneous biliary diversion and the decrease in serum bilirubin in pre- and post-procedure studies (24 hours). Methods: We did a retrospective review of the database of the Interventional Radiology service of Hospital Regional 11º de Octubre, México. The time study was between years 2017 and 2022. We analyzed 75 patient’s clinical records who underwent percutaneous management with a diagnosis of bile duct dilation due to an obstructive origin. The population was divided in three groups benign, malignant and post-surgical based on the ethiology of the bile duct obstruction. Total serum bilirubins, liver enzymes, coagulation tests and platelets of each patient were obtained from the clinical record prior to percutaneous biliary diversion and 24 hours after procedure. Results: 75 patient records were explored, of which 26 (34.7%) were men and 49 (65.3%) were women The mean age was 62.3 years. A statistically significant decrease in total serum bilirubin was observed 24 hr after the procedure with a p value of 0.009. A statistically significant decrease after the procedure was also observed in liver enzymes with a value of: GGT with p: 0.002, GOT with p: 0.003 and LDH with p: 0.005 Discussion: There was a decrease in total serum bilirubin and liver enzymes after an effective biliary diversion, regardless of the cause of obstruction.

Action spectrum of phototherapy in hyperbilirubinemic neonates.

Phototherapy with blue light matching plasma absorption spectrum of the bilirubin-albumin complex with peak at 460 nm is standard treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. To demonstrate clinically the action (efficacy) spectrum of phototherapy in hyperbilirubinemic neonates, through determination of the fraction of total serum bilirubin (TSB) decreased by phototherapy with peak emission wavelengths ≥478 nm (blue-green) compared with that of light of 459/452 nm (blue). TSB values were compiled from three earlier trials, in which hyperbilirubinemic neonates were randomized to receive 24 h of either blue-green light (478/490/497 nm) (intervention groups) or blue light (459/452/459 nm) (control groups) with equal irradiance and exposed body surface areas. Ratios (efficacy) between the decrease in TSB between intervention and control groups were calculated and graphed versus peak wavelengths, demonstrating the course of the action spectrum. Calculated efficacy ratios were 1.31, 1.18, and 1.04 for light with peak wavelengths of 478, 490, and 497 nm, respectively. The action spectrum increases from 452/459 to maximum at 478 nm, from where it decreases to 1.18 and finally to 1.04. For optimal phototherapeutic treatment, neonates need to be exposed to light with peak wavelength some 20 nm longer than is presently used. The action (efficacy) spectrum of phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemic neonates has its peak wavelength at 478 nm. The peak wavelength of this action spectrum is 20 nm longer than the wavelength presently believed to be most efficient. The peak is also different from the peak found in vitro. For optimal phototherapeutic effect, neonates need to be treated with light of wavelengths some 20 nm longer than are presently used.

Sunlight for the prevention and treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in term and late preterm neonates.

Sunlight for the prevention and treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in term and late preterm neonates.

Evaluation of using agar combined with phototherapy in management of neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia

Background:Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a common problem in neonates.Phototherapy is an efficient way to decrease the accumulation of bilirubin, although it involves hospitalization, and can force the baby to stop eating due to the breast separation. In certain cases of infant jaundice, the hepatic circulation of bilirubin plays a major role Objectives: The purpose of the study was todetermine the value of oral agar ingestion combined with phototherapy in management of neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and to compare it with the use of phototherapy alone in the management. Patients and methods: This was a randomized controlled study conducted at Neonatal intensive care units in Qena university hospital and Qena general hospital. They were divided into: Case group (neonates received oral agar with phototherapy).Control group (neonates received phototherapy alone). The duration of this study was 6 months. Results: The study included 517 neonates,314 neonates (60.74%) treated withphototherapy alone and 203 neonates (39.26%) treated withphototherapy combined with agar .There was a significant decrease in total serum bilirubin (TSB) in both subgroups, but the decrease was more significant in term male babies andin group that received agar with phototherapy than the group received phototherapy alone. Conclusion: Our results show that the administration of oral agar in full-term neonates was safe to decrease total serum bilirubin (TSB) concentrations and to shorten the length of phototherapy in hyperbilirubinemic neonates. As a supplementary treatment for neonates with hyperbilirubinemia, our results indicated that agar may benefit in minimizing the length of hospitalization.

Pattern of serum bilirubin changes following double volume exchange blood transfusion in neonates at a tertiary health facility in Nigeria.

Introductionexchange blood transfusion (EBT) is a form of massive transfusion useful in rapidly reducing serum bilirubin levels, but serum bilirubin levels frequently rebound within hours of completing the procedure, due to equilibration of extravascular bilirubin as well as on-going hemolysis. The study was carried out to determine the pattern of reduction in serum bilirubin levels following EBT among neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia, as well as the factors contributing to this pattern, so as to establish evidence-based expectations following EBT.Methodsa retrospective descriptive study covering a two-year period in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Details of the EBT procedures, including serial serum bilirubin levels, were obtained from the hospital records of all newborn babies who had double volume EBT done for severe hyperbilirubinaemia during the study period. Data was analyzed using the statistical software SPSS version 21.0.Resultsthe mean total serum bilirubin (TSB) before EBT in the 36 babies was 17.9 ± 6.3 mg/dl. The mean percentage decrease in TSB immediately following EBT was 44.3 ± 10.2%. Six hours after EBT, TSB levels had increased from the immediate post-EBT values by an average of 57.5 ± 32.2%. Twenty-four hours after the procedure, TSB values in most (87.1%) cases were still higher than the immediate post-EBT values, but lower than the pre-EBT values. Post-EBT anemia was recorded among 33.3% of the babies.ConclusionEBT is effective in rapidly reducing serum bilirubin levels and preventing acute bilirubin encephalopathy in neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia, despite the rebound increase that occurs in TSB values after the procedure.

Efficacy of newer modalities in the management of indirect hyperbilirubinaemia at a secondary care hospital: A prospective study from 2015-2018.

To evaluate the efficacy of current practices and new modalities for the management of neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinaemia. The prospective study was conducted at King Khalid Hospital, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia, from September 2015 to September 2018, and copmprised neonates with hyperbilirubinaemia who were managed using the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 2010 guidelines. The outcomes were measured in terms of decrease in total serum bilirubin and clinical improvement. Data was analysed using SPSS 25. Of the 233 subjects, there were 119(51%) girls and 114(49%) boys. Phototherapy was used in 162(69.5%) cases, intensive phototherapy in 36(15.5%) and intravenous immunoglobulin in 35(15%). Exchange transfusion was done in 2(0.85%) patients. All the 233(100%) patients improved with the management and total serum bilirubin significantly reduced (p<0.05). Newer techniques were found to have a vital role in the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia.

The Role of Oral Phenobarbital Therapy in the Management of Neonates with Prolonged Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia

Background: Prolonged jaundice is a type of neonatal jaundice, which occurs in infants with high bilirubin levels (&gt;10 mg/dl) persisting beyond day 14 of life in term neonates, and beyond day 21 in preterm neonates. Prolonged jaundice may be caused by predominantly conjugated or unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Distinguishing between these types of jaundice helps to determine the risk for pathological causes of prolonged jaundice.&#x0D; Phenobarbital has been used to treat neonatal jaundice since the 1960s. Numerous clinical trials have shown that both administration of phenobarbital to pregnant mothers before delivery and phenobarbital administration to neonates after delivery limit the severity of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, reduce the peak serum total bilirubin concentrations caused by physiologic jaundice by 50%, and the need for exchange transfusion.&#x0D; Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of phenobarbital in reducing the total serum bilirubin(TSB) in neonates with prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. &#x0D; Methods: This is a prospective clinical trial study that was performed in Karbala teaching hospital for children from 18th of December 2017 to the end of December 2018. A total of 101 neonate with prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia were included in this study. All neonates who included in this study received phenobarbital tablet (5 mg /kg/day) twice a day for 10 days and some of them need phototherapy according to American Academy Of Pediatrics Guidelines for phototherapy,&#x0D; Results: There was a highly statistically significant decrease in TSB for the patients who were treated with phenobarbital compared to the baseline level, mean baseline TSB 14.57± 2.31 mg/dl versus TSB after phenobarbital 6.79±1.62 mg/dl (P value &lt;0.001). There was a highly statistically significant decrease in TSB for the patients who were treated with phototherapy in addition to phenobarbital compared to the baseline level, mean baseline TSB 19.94±1.36 mg/dl versus TSB after phototherapy and phenobarbital 6.33±1.37 mg/dl (P value &lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusions: &#x0D; &#x0D; Oral phenobarbital supplementation in the neonates with prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia can significantly accelerate reduction in serum bilirubin levels.&#x0D; Phenobarbital was safe, tolerable and no obvious adverse effects had been reported.&#x0D; No need for cessation of breast feeding in cases of presumed breast milk jaundice.&#x0D;

Conventional intensive versus LED intensive phototherapy oxidative stress burden in neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia of haemolytic origin

ABSTRACTBackground: Phototherapy causes oxidative stress which is of particular importance in neonates because of the increased susceptibility of neonatal red blood cell membranes to oxidative damage.Aim: To evaluate the oxidant/antioxidant status in neonates with haemolytic hyperbilirubinaemia before and after exposure to two different intensive phototherapy light sources.Patients and Methods: A randomised controlled study was undertaken in 54 full-term neonates with indirect haemolytic hyperbilirubinaemia admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit in the first week of life. They were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group 1 infants were exposed to intensive conventional phototherapy (Bilisphere 360) and Group 2 were exposed to an intensive light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy device (Bilitron bed 3600). Total serum bilirubin (TSB), total oxidative stress (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured before and 48 hours after initiation of phototherapy.Results: There was a significant decrease in TSB after phototherapy in both groups (p < 0.001). The TOS and OSI were significantly increased after phototherapy in both groups (p < 0.001) but more so in Group 1 with conventional phototherapy (p = 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). TAC was significantly decreased after phototherapy in both groups (p < 0.00) but more so in Group 1 (p = 0.03).There were significant increases in the incidence of dehydration, hyperthermia and skin rash in the conventional compared with the LED phototherapy group (p = 0.02, 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). However, there was a significant increase in the incidence of hypothermia in the LED compared with the conventional phototherapy group (p = 0.001).Conclusion: Both intensive conventional and LED phototherapy are equally effective in decreasing TSB, but intensive LED phototherapy is safer than intensive conventional phototherapy with regard to oxidative stress and oxidant/antioxidant imbalance.Abbreviations: DSB: direct serum bilirubin; G6PD: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme; LED: light-emitting diode; OSI: oxidative stress index; TAC: total antioxidant capacity; TOS: total oxidative stresses; TSB: total serum bilirubin

A Randomized Trial of Phototherapy with Filtered Sunlight in African Neonates

BackgroundSequelae of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia constitute a substantial disease burden in areas where effective conventional phototherapy is unavailable. We previously found that the use of filtered sunlight for the purpose of phototherapy is a safe and efficacious method for reducing total bilirubin. However, its relative safety and efficacy as compared with conventional phototherapy are unknown.MethodsWe conducted a randomized, controlled noninferiority trial in which filtered sunlight was compared with conventional phototherapy for the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in term and late-preterm neonates in a large, urban Nigerian maternity hospital. The primary end point was efficacy, which was defined as a rate of increase in total serum bilirubin of less than 0.2 mg per deciliter per hour for infants up to 72 hours of age or a decrease in total serum bilirubin for infants older than 72 hours of age who received at least 5 hours of phototherapy; we prespecified a noninferiority margin of 10% for the difference in efficacy rates between groups. The need for an exchange transfusion was a secondary end point. We also assessed safety, which was defined as the absence of the need to withdraw therapy because of hyperthermia, hypothermia, dehydration, or sunburn.ResultsWe enrolled 447 infants and randomly assigned 224 to filtered sunlight and 223 to conventional phototherapy. Filtered sunlight was efficacious on 93% of treatment days that could be evaluated, as compared with 90% for conventional phototherapy, and had a higher mean level of irradiance (40 vs. 17 μW per square centimeter per nanometer, P<0.001). Temperatures higher than 38.0°C occurred in 5% of the infants receiving filtered sunlight and in 1% of those receiving conventional phototherapy (P<0.001), but no infant met the criteria for withdrawal from the study for reasons of safety or required an exchange transfusion.ConclusionsFiltered sunlight was noninferior to conventional phototherapy for the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and did not result in any study withdrawals for reasons of safety. (Funded by the Thrasher Research Fund, Salt Lake City, and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health; Clinical Trials.gov number, NCT01434810.)

Randomised controlled trial of single phototherapy with reflecting curtains versus double phototherapy in term newborns with hyperbilirubinaemia

The use of reflecting curtains with single phototherapy has not yet been directly compared with double phototherapy (DP). The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of single phototherapy with reflecting curtains (SPRC) and DP in treating neonatal jaundice. This randomised controlled trial involved 160 term newborns with severe neonatal jaundice in the first 2 weeks of life. The subjects were randomised in two groups: the intervention group receiving SPRC (n = 80) and a control group receiving DP (n = 80). Because of post-hoc exclusions, 78 subjects resulted in each group, respectively. The primary outcome was mean decrease in total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels after 4 h of phototherapy. The secondary outcomes were mean decrease in TSB levels after 10 h of phototherapy and duration of phototherapy. The mean decrease in TSB after 4 h of phototherapy in the intervention group was similar for the intervention and the control groups (23.46 ± 27.03 vs. 22.43 ± 27.38 μmol/L; P = 0.81). Also, after 10 h, it was similar in both groups (56.06 ± 31.36 vs. 58.17 ± 31.71 μmol/L, respectively; P = 0.67). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in duration of phototherapy in both intervention (SPRC) and control (DP) (x2 change 0.393, P = 0.531; hazard ratio 1.060; 95% confidence interval 0.883-1.273). There were no significant adverse events noted. This study suggested that single phototherapy with reflecting curtain is as effective as DP in the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia requiring intensive phototherapy.

Dose-Response Relationship of Phototherapy for Hyperbilirubinemia

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. 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) [%]). 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. 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.

Efficacy of phototherapy devices and outcomes among extremely low birth weight infants: multi-center observational study

Evaluate the efficacy of phototherapy (PT) devices and the outcomes of extremely premature infants treated with those devices. This substudy of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network PT trial included 1404 infants treated with a single type of PT device during the first 24±12 h of treatment. The absolute (primary outcome) and relative decrease in total serum bilirubin (TSB) and other measures were evaluated. For infants treated with one PT type during the 2-week intervention period (n=1223), adjusted outcomes at discharge and 18 to 22 months corrected age were determined. In the first 24 h, the adjusted absolute (mean (±s.d.)) and relative (%) decrease in TSB (mg dl(-1)) were: light-emitting diodes (LEDs) -2.2 (±3), -22%; Spotlights -1.7 (±2), -19%; Banks -1.3 (±3), -8%; Blankets -0.8 (±3), -1%; (P<0.0002). Some findings at 18 to 22 months differed between groups. LEDs achieved the greatest initial absolute reduction in TSB but were similar to Spots in the other performance measures. Long-term effects of PT devices in extremely premature infants deserve rigorous evaluation.

Effect of infants’ position on serum bilirubin level during conventional phototherapy

To compare the decrease in total serum bilirubin (TSB) concentration during conventional phototherapy in infants treated in supine position exclusively versus infants alternated between exposure in supine and prone position every third hour. Moreover, to survey current practice patterns in two Scandinavian countries as far as alternating exposure. A total of 112 infants with non-haemolytic hyperbilirubinaemia, but otherwise healthy, and a gestational age > or =33 weeks were randomized to one of the treatment groups. All infants received phototherapy for 24 h. TSB was measured at start of phototherapy and after 12 and 24 h of treatment. Questionnaires about routines for position changes in infants during phototherapy were sent to all 41 neonatal departments in Denmark and Norway. No statistically significant differences in the decrease in TSB were observed between the two treatment groups: at 12 h of therapy, TSB decreased 32% in both groups and at 24 h 49% and 50%, respectively. In two-thirds of Danish and Norwegian departments, the infants were routinely turned during phototherapy, most often every third hours. The decrease in TSB was not significantly associated with positioning of the infant during conventional phototherapy. Alternating exposure is widely practiced in Scandinavia but is unnecessary.

Overhead is superior to underneath light‐emitting diode phototherapy in the treatment of neonatal jaundice: A comparative study

To compare the efficacy of overhead and underneath light-emitting diode (LED) devices in the treatment of neonatal jaundice. We compared two LED phototherapy devices: the neoBLUE device, which provides overhead illumination, and the neoBLUE cozy device, which provides illumination from underneath the infant. The models we used had similar LED sources and provided similar light intensities (30 microW/cm(2)/nm). Infants with hyperbilirubinemia were assigned to one of two groups according to the phototherapy device used (group 1, overhead illumination, 181 infants; group 2, underneath illumination, 61 infants). Recorded variables included birthweight, gender, family history, aetiology of jaundice, total duration of phototherapy and total serum bilirubin (TSB) concentration at the initiation of phototherapy, at 12-hour intervals and just before the cessation of phototherapy. The rates of decrease in TSB concentration were calculated. There were significant differences in the mean duration of phototherapy and in the rate of decrease in TSB concentration between the two groups. The mean duration of phototherapy in group 2 was higher than in group 1 (P= 0.037). The rate of decrease in TSB in group 1 was higher than in group 2 (P= 0.01). These results suggest that when phototherapy is used in the treatment of neonatal jaundice, the direction from which the light is applied should be considered in addition to light source intensity.

Donor Blood Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency Reduces the Efficacy of Exchange Transfusion in Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

Acute intravascular hemolysis after exchange transfusion with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient blood has been reported; however, it is not routine to screen donor blood for glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency while performing exchange transfusion. We hypothesized that exchange transfusion with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient blood would lead to a less-than-expected decrease in total serum bilirubin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of exchange transfusion with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient blood in neonates with idiopathic hyperbilirubinemia on postexchange total serum bilirubin levels, duration of phototherapy, and need for repeat exchange transfusions. All neonates who were undergoing exchange transfusion for idiopathic hyperbilirubinemia were enrolled. A sample of donor blood was collected at the time of exchange transfusion for a glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase assay. The standard criteria for starting and stopping phototherapy and exchange transfusion were applied. During the 1-year study period, 21 infants underwent exchange with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient blood, and 114 neonates with similar baseline characteristics underwent exchange transfusion with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-normal blood. From 6 to 60 hours after exchange transfusion, there was a significantly lesser drop in total serum bilirubin in the recipients of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient donor blood compared with recipients of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-normal blood. The mean duration of phototherapy in the postexchange period and number of infants who underwent repeat exchange transfusions were significantly higher in recipients of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient donor blood in comparison with control subjects. Concurrently, there was a significantly higher drop in hematocrit and rise in plasma hemoglobin in the glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient donor group. Exchange transfusion with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient donor blood leads to a lesser drop in postexchange total serum bilirubin. It prolongs the duration of phototherapy and increases the need for repeat exchange transfusions.

Percentage Decrease in Total Serum Bilirubin after ERCP Therapy for Obstructive Jaundice Is Similar for Malignant and Benign Causes

Percentage Decrease in Total Serum Bilirubin after ERCP Therapy for Obstructive Jaundice Is Similar for Malignant and Benign Causes

A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study of Phototherapy Using Blue and Blue-Green Light-Emitting Devices, and Conventional Halogen-Quartz Phototherapy

To determine the efficacy of blue versus blue-green phototherapy using new light sources with narrow luminous spectra. The devices made of high-intensity gallium nitride light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were also compared to conventional halogen-quartz bulbs phototherapy. Prospective open randomized study. A total of 114 jaundiced, but otherwise healthy term infants who met the entry criteria for phototherapy set by the American Academy of Pediatrics' Practice Parameter. The duration of phototherapy and the rate of decrease in total serum bilirubin (TSB). The mean TSB concentrations at initiation and termination of treatment, as well as the duration of phototherapy and the rate of decrease in TSB, were not statistically different in newborns receiving blue LED, blue-green LED or conventional phototherapy. The average rate of decrease in TSB (slope), after adjustment by a linear regression analysis for confounding factors, was -3.61 micromol/hour (95% confidence limits -5.47, -1.75) in the 25 newborns receiving blue LED phototherapy compared with -2.57 micromol/hour (-4.32, -0.82) in the 22 newborns treated with blue-green LED phototherapy and -3.42 micromol/hour (-5.02, -1.81) in the 57 newborns who received conventional phototherapy. When using low light irradiance, there was no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of phototherapy using blue-green LEDs, blue LEDs or conventional halogen-quartz bulbs.

A new blue light-emitting phototherapy device: a prospective randomized controlled study

To evaluate the efficacy of a new phototherapy light source with a narrow luminous blue spectrum. The device, made with high-intensity gallium nitride light-emitting diodes (LEDs), was compared with conventional phototherapy at similar light intensities. Two university-affiliated community hospitals in Jerusalem. Prospective open randomized study. Sixty-nine jaundiced, but otherwise healthy, term infants who met the entry criteria for phototherapy set by the American Academy of Pediatrics' Practice Parameter. The duration of phototherapy and the rate of decrease in total serum bilirubin (TSB) concentration. The mean TSB concentrations at initiation and termination of treatment did not differ between newborns receiving LED and those receiving conventional phototherapy. The duration of phototherapy and the rate of decrease in TSB concentration were not statistically different in the 2 groups. The average rate of decrease in TSB after adjustment by a linear regression analysis for confounding factors was -3.16 micromol/L/h (95% confidence limits -4.81, -1.51) in newborns receiving LED phototherapy compared with -2.19 micromol/L/h (-3.99, -0.40) in those treated with conventional phototherapy (P <.14). No side effects were noted in any of the newborns. The blue gallium nitride LED device is as effective as conventional phototherapy and is readily accepted by nursing staff. Future LED phototherapy devices can provide much higher irradiance, and thus greater efficacy, and offer a new highly versatile approach to the treatment of jaundice.

Selective intraportal hepatocyte transplantation in analbuminemic and Gunn rats.

Although significant progress has been achieved in isolated hepatocyte transplantation, the optimal site of cell implantation has not yet been determined. We have developed a novel experimental method of intraportal hepatocyte transplantation that allows easy assessment of the morphology and function of transplanted hepatocytes. Donor hepatocytes were harvested from Sprague-Dawley rats by in situ EDTA/collagenase perfusion. Fifteen recipient Nagase analbuminemic rats (NAR) underwent cannulation of the gastroduodenal vein under ether anesthesia. Either the posterior or anterior liver lobes were selectively infused with cells by occluding the portal venous supply of the nontransplanted liver lobes. Normal donor hepatocytes (2 x 10(7)) suspended in normal saline were infused over 1 min (4 ml). Recipients were treated with cyclosporine for the duration of the experiment. Plasma albumin levels were determined by ELISA, before and at various intervals after transplantation. In NAR rats transplanted with normal hepatocytes, there was a significant (P < 0.003) and sustained (12 weeks) increase in plasma albumin levels. Control NAR rats transplanted with NAR hepatocytes (n = 8) showed no significant changes in plasma albumin levels. Similarly, normal Wistar hepatocytes were infused intraportally into the posterior lobes of Gunn rats (n = 4), which lack the ability to conjugate bilirubin. Pre- and posttransplantation bile was collected following bile duct cannulation. Bile analysis by HPLC, demonstrated a significant (P = 0.04) increase in the level of bilirubin conjugates following transplantation and a corresponding decrease in total serum bilirubin (P = 0.04). Our experimental data demonstrate that direct selective intraportal infusion of hepatocytes is an effective technique of hepatocyte transplantation in the rat.