efficacy of home phototherapy in neonatal jaundice

Background: jaundice is one of the most common problems in the neonatal period. phototherapy is one of the most commonly used treatments for jaundice that can be used as a simple, practical home-based treatment. hospitalization during the first days of birth to conduct phototherapy may result in problems like nosocomial infections and mother separation from the baby. objectives: the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of home phototherapy in the duration of treatment, mean bilirubin level, and complications. methods: this clinical trial was performed on newborns with jaundice in isfahan health centers. the sample was randomly divided into two groups: phototherapy at home (32 patients) and phototherapy at the hospital (32 patients). a demographic questionnaire and a researcher-made checklist were used to collect data on variables such as the duration of treatment, the frequency of treatment failure, mean bilirubin, and phototherapy complications. results: the mean duration of phototherapy in both groups was two days, which showed no significant difference (p = 0.32). the mostcommoncomplication in both groups was skin rashes and restlessness, which also showed no significant between two groups (p > 0.05). there was no significant difference in terms of treatment failure (p = 0.246). statistical tests also revealed that bilirubin reduction was the same in both groups. conclusions: home phototherapy can be suggested as a safe treatment with no complication to the patients.