Hyperbilirubinemia and phototherapy: a community hospital experience
Musci, M.N.; Santucci, T.F.
Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 83(10): 714-717
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0098-6151 PMID: 6746338 Document Number: 231164
The majority of published reports that indicate the incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia are attempts to correlate certain prenatal, perinatal and postnatal variables with the subsequent development of jaundice. Virtually all of these studies originate from large, tertiary care centers. This study investigated the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia in a community hospital and compared that incidence to a larger, previous study. The use of phototherapy as treatment for this common neonatal condition was also evaluated. The incidence of hyperbilirubinemia compares favorably with that reported in the National Collaborative Perinatal Project. The number of infants who need exchange transfusions is reduced with the early, prudent use of phototherapy.