Intermittent or continuous phototherapy for neonatal jaundice fails to lower bilirubin

A new study published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews suggests that there is no significant bilirubin decrease found among intermittent and continuous phototherapy. 

Neonatal jaundice may be treated effectively and broadly using phototherapy. Although intermittent phototherapy has been suggested as an equally effective option with the added benefit of enhanced mother feeding and bonding, it is often used continually. It is uncertain if intermittent phototherapy is more effective than continuous phototherapy. As a result, Sasi Bhushan Gottimukkala and colleagues carried out a research to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intermittent phototherapy in comparison to continuous phototherapy.

On January 31, 2022, searches were made in the following databases: CENTRAL through CRS Web, MEDLINE via Ovid, and Embase via Ovid. Moreover, reference lists of retrieved papers and clinical trials databases were searched for random controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized trials. RCTs, cluster RCTs, and quasi RCTs comparing intermittent and continuous phototherapy in jaundiced newborns (both term and preterm) up to the age of 30 days were conducted by researchers. Using any technique, at any dose, and for any period of time as specified by the authors, intermittent phototherapy was contrasted with continuous phototherapy. The principal results of interest were kernicterus and the rate of reduction of serum bilirubin. The GRADE technique was used to rate the evidence's degree of confidence.