Variation in the Phototherapy Practices and Irradiance of Devices in a Major Metropolitan Area.

Background: Phototherapy (PT) is widely used to prevent and treat severe hyperbilirubinemia and its associated risks for both acute and chronic bilirubin encephalopathy. Intensive PT, recommended for inpatient treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in term and near-term infants, is defined as having a spectral irradiance of ≥30 μW/cm2/nm.

Objectives: We aimed to assess local PT practices by measuring the irradiance of PT devices in local neonatal intensive care units and newborn nurseries.