Phototherapy
Hyperbilirubinemia can be treated easily without
or with a minimal adverse effect with phototherapy
(71, 72). The efficacy of phototherapy depends
on surface area exposed to phototherapy:
Double surface phototherapy may be more effective
than single surface phototherapy (73). Spectrum
of light source: Special blue tubes with the
mark F20T12/BB should be used rather than
F20T12/B lights and Irradiance or energy output
may be increased in a phototherapy unit by lowering
the distance of the neonate to within 15-
20 cm (74, 75). Continuous phototherapy is better
than intermittent phototherapy. Phototherapy
should not be interrupted except during breastfeeding
or nappy change (40, 76-80)