The Pattern of Bilirubin Response to Phototherapy for Neonatal Hyperbilirubinaemia

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Abstract
Summary: The pattern of bilirubin response to phototherapy was studied using lamps with an emission spectrum closely similar to the bilirubin absorption spectrum. A dose-response relationship was demonstrated, with increased intensity of phototherapy resulting in greater response; however, the rate of bilirubin decline progressively decreased with increasing radiance till a 'saturation' point was reached, beyond which no further response occurred with further increase in radiance, suggesting a curvilinear relationship of the nature of an asymptotic regression. At the 'saturation' point, a 24-h decline of about 50% was achieved. With extended periods of phototherapy, a gradually decreasing response to phototherapy with declining bilirubin levels was observed, both with maximal or moderate intensity phototherapy; an exponential regression was suggested. At about 5 mg/dl little further decline was observed with continued phototherapy. The rate of the 24-h decline evaluated at 6-h intervals was observed to be proportional to the bilirubin level at the start of the 24-h period.