High- versus low-dose conventional phototherapy for neonatal jaundice (Protocol)

Objectives: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows:. To assess the effects of high-dose conventional phototherapy versus low-dose conventional phototherapy on bilirubin level and associated clinical outcomes that constitute the major conditions in the spectrum of bilirubin-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND), such as acute bilirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus, as well as cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental disabilities in infants with hyperbilirubinaemia. For the purpose of this review, we will include only studies on treatment and will exclude studies on prophylactic use of phototherapy. Prophylactic phototherapy is covered in another Cochrane Review (Okwundu 2012) To assess high-dose phototherapy defined as the use of high levels of measured spectral irradiance greater than 30 μW/cm²/nm over the same bandwidth (AAP 2004), as well as low-dose phototherapy defined as measured levels of spectral irradiance below 30 μW/cm²/nm To restrict this review to studies that specifically state measured irradiance.