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Home phototherapy for appropriate term or near-term babies is common, yet few studies have examined relevant outcomes. These researchers retrospectively evaluated outcomes in 1324 neonates born at ≥35 weeks gestation who began home phototherapy within 14 days of birth. A single commercial service provided home therapy and nurses visited daily. At the referring clinician's request, an additional fiberoptic pad was placed on the chest to increase radiant light in 30% of patients.
Mean total serum bilirubin (TSB) was 16.9 mg/dL at the start of home therapy; 90% of infants were breastfed. Therapy was begun at a mean age of 94 hours and continued for a median of 53 hours (range, 14–280 hours); 103 patients started phototherapy in the hospital. Ro…