Irradiance levels of phototherapy devices fabricated in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Phototherapy (PT) remains difficult to deliver in many resource-constrained countries, including Nigeria due to the unavailability of devices that can deliver intensive PT (irradiance ≥30 μW/cm²/ nm) needed to treat the more severe cases of hyperbilirubinaemia. The basic equipment is expensive and replacement parts are often not available.

Objective: To compare the blue light irradiance of four locally designed and fabricated PT devices with a proprietary device.

Materials and Methods: Four types of intensive PT devices were locally fabricated. Irradiance was measured using an Olympic Medical Bili-Meter. The mean irradiance of triplicate measure- ments at three positions in the light footprint of each device was determine that distances of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60cm from light source to meter sensor.

Results: The irradiance of the fabricated devices (F1-4) and commercial device (C) measured at the most common clinically-used distance of 30 cm for intensive PT were 29.5 ±6.3, 30.3 ±5.3, 25.8 ±5.0,49.0 ±10.5 and 39.2 ± 13.6μ W/cm²/nm respectively with corresponding maximum central irradiance of 36.4, 32.1, 31.2,59.5 and 54.5 μW/cm²/nm. At a distance of 25cm, all devices delivered irradiance ≥ 30μW/cm²/nm. The cost of each local device was less than 12% of the commercial one.

Conclusions: Locally fabricated devices cost much less and were suitable for delivery of intensive phototherapy (≥30 μW/cm²/nm) at a distance of 25cm.