In the Netherlands, one in sixteen newborns develops hyperbilirubinemia, which usually manifests as jaundice. Without treatment, this can lead to brain damage (kernicterus). Phototherapy is the method to lower the bilirubin level. Increasingly, phototherapy is also used at home for newborns who do not need to stay in the hospital. It is therefore important to properly check the effectiveness of the phototherapy equipment.
The Dutch guideline for hyperbilirubinemia recommends testing phototherapy lamps at least once a year. This guideline is based on the American guideline, where testing sometimes occurs even more frequently to ensure effectiveness.
For home use, the equipment should be checked after each use. Since it leaves the hospital, it is logical to perform a test immediately upon return.
The effectiveness of a phototherapy lamp is measured with a radiometer, such as the Dale 40. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. These indicate, among other things:
- The distance between the lens of the radiometer and the light source
- The number of measuring points
- The limit values that the measurements must meet
Pay close attention to the unit of measurement. There are two common units:
- µW/cm² (microwatt per square centimeter)
- µW/cm²/nm (microwatt per square centimeter per nanometer)
If the manufacturer uses a different unit than your radiometer, you can convert it.
The wavelength of phototherapy light is 460 nm. The Dale 40 has a range of 400 to 480 nm. The light intensity is measured within this spectrum.
You measure most reliably if you follow both the manufacturer’s guidelines and the general recommendations.
