Effect Of Applying Aluminum Foil Reflector During Phototherapy Combined With Nursing Care On Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Minia University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Phototherapy has long been recognized as an effective treatment for neonates
with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of applying aluminum
foil reflector during phototherapy combined with nursing care on neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
Subject and method: A quasi-experimental research design was used in the current study in the
neonatal intensive care unit at Minia university hospital for obstetric and pediatrics and Minia
general hospital. The sample was 70 neonates and 60 nurses. Two tools were used; Tool I: A self-
administered questionnaire and Tool II: The neonatal outcome sheet. Results: More than half of the
neonatal nurses had satisfactory knowledge related to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and the majority
of them had a competent level in caring of high-risk neonates under phototherapy. The mean score
of bilirubin value was decreased in the aluminum foil group compared to the control group before
the neonatal discharge from the hospital with statistically significant differences. Most of the
studied neonates in the aluminum foil group were discharged after 48 hours compared to three-
quarters of the neonates in the control group with statistically significant differences and this finding
evidenced the large effect of applying aluminuim foil as well as nurses' knowledge and practices on
bilirubin value before discharge among the studied sample. Conclusion: Applying an aluminum
foil reflector during phototherapy combined with nursing care is effective in reducing the bilirubin
levels of full-term neonates. Recommendation: Prepare written guidelines in the neonatal intensive
care unit about phototherapy combined with aluminum foil reflectors to enhance the management of
hyperbilirubinemia.

Keywords

Egyptian Journal of Health Care
Volume 13, Issue 3
September 2022
Pages 1335-1345

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