Home phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia in neonates : an unblinded multicentre randomised controlled trial

• Background/Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether home phototherapy is a safe alternative to hospital treatment.Method: This was a randomised controlled, multicentre, trial in which term newborns with a total serum bilirubin of 300-400 μmol/ were randomized to either home phototherapy or conventional in-hospital phototherapy.The outcome measurements were parent-infant bonding, stress and measurements of safety and feasibility. A descriptive qualitative study based on interviews was performed as well as a health economic analysis.Result: 147 patients were recruited from 6 hospitals, Results showed no difference between groups in the safety and feasibility outcomes. Parents in the intervention group had better scores on bonding and lower levels of stress. The interviews showed that parents felt secure at home. The cost per patient was €337 for home phototherapy compared with €1156 for the hospital alternative indicating average cost savings of €819 or 71% per patient.Conclusion: Home phototherapy can be considered a safe and feasible alternative to hospital care for well selected patients. It improves bonding and stress for parents and reduces health care costs. Since the first publication from this study was published home phototherapy is now recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics as an alternative to hospital care for patients with uncomplicated hyperbilirubinemia.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Newborn infant

phototherapy

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)