Abstract
Neonatal jaundice is a common and, in most cases, benign problem in neonates. The
treatment of neonatal jaundice is indicated in pathologic jaundice and the goal of therapy
is to prevent the concentration of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood from reaching levels
at which neurotoxicity may occur. For more than three decades, phototherapy has been the standard of care for the initial treatment of neonatal jaundice. A retrospective
study about the result of treatment for neonatal jaundice compared between phototherapy
with and without blue light lamps was done in Thabo Crown Prince Hospital from October
1, 2004 to September 30, 2007. The purpose of this study was to identify which type of
lamp used in phototherapy was more effective in decreasing the blood bilirubin level.
This study showed that the highest blood bilirubin level during treatment with phototherapy
without blue light lamps was significantly higher and also the length of stays for
treatment was significantly longer than in the group that used phototherapy with blue
light lamps. Although many factors affect the efficacy of phototherapy in decreasing the
blood bilirubin level, one of the important factors is the type of lamps used. This study
suggests that, for the treatment of neonatal jaundice to be effective, phototherapy with
blue light lamps is recommended.
