Impact of Phototherapy Blanket Treatment on Need for Overhead Phototherapy in Term Infants-A Randomised Controlled Trial (The Babies in Blankets Trial-BiB Trial).
A Branagan, R Mullaly, J Semberova et al.
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In 30 seconds
This single-centre randomised controlled trial assessed whether phototherapy blankets could prevent overhead phototherapy in clinically well infants born at ≥35 weeks, older than 24 hours, whose bilirubin levels were near but below treatment thresholds. Among 97 infants analysed, overhead phototherapy was required by 16% of those assigned to blankets and 15% receiving routine care (p > 0.99). Length of stay also did not differ. The blanket group had more infants discharged exclusively receiving formula feeds, raising a possible concern about breastfeeding.
Key findings
- Overhead phototherapy was needed by 16% in the blanket group and 15% in the routine-care group (p > 0.99).
- Length of hospital stay did not differ between groups (p = 0.6).
- More infants assigned to blankets were discharged receiving formula feeds exclusively (p = 0.04).
Why it matters
The trial found no evidence that starting blanket phototherapy below treatment thresholds reduced subsequent use of overhead phototherapy or shortened hospital stay. The difference in exclusive formula feeding also highlights a potential feeding-related consequence to consider when evaluating this approach, although the abstract does not establish that blankets caused the difference.
What to keep in mind
The trial was conducted at a single centre and included 97 infants; the abstract does not report longer-term outcomes.