A Novel Approach to Phototherapy Initiation in Preterm Infants

Shabih       Manzar

doi:10.2174/0250688201901010001

Abstract

Therapeutic interventions in preterm infants are determined based on birth weight. Phototherapy (PTx) is the treatment for hyperbilirubinemia, started based on serum bilirubin level. However, weight-based guidelines for PTx in preterm infants are lacking. We present a simple way of calculating the bilirubin to initiate PTx. A percentage body weight, ranging from 0.5%-1%, is used to calculate bilirubin.

Keywords: Phototherapy, Preterm infants, Bilirubin, Jaundice, Hyperbilirubinemia, Therapeutic interventions.

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