A STUDY TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF PLANNED TEACHING PROGRAMME ON KNOWLEDGE REGARDING PHOTOTHERAPY AMONG BSC (N) 6TH SEMESTER STUDENTS SELECTED COLLEGE OF NURSING, BHILAI (C.G)

Phototherapy has been used since 1958, for the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. It causes unconjugated bilirubin to be mobilized from the skin by structural isomerization to a water-soluble form (lumirubin) that can be excreted in the urine. According to UNICEF, phototherapy is a crucial treatment for severe neonatal jaundice, using special blue light to break down excess bilirubin in the baby's blood. This process prevents high levels of bilirubin from causing permanent brain damage or death, with the treatment's effectiveness depending on the dose, which is influenced by light intensity, duration, and the amount of skin exposed. UNICEF also emphasizes the importance of early detection and increasing access to phototherapy devices, such as the transcutaneous bilirubin meter (TCB), especially in low-resource settings through initiatives like project BALLERINA, to screen and treat newborns early.
According to WHO guidance, all newborns should be checked for jaundice, and infants showing early or rapidly rising jaundice (particularly those who are premature, low birth weight, or otherwise at risk) should be evaluated promptly. When bilirubin levels reach threshold values (which vary by age and risk status), phototherapy should be initiated. The treatment should be delivered with attention to exposure of the baby's skin, adequate distance from the light source, eye protection, maintenance of hydration and feeding, and careful monitoring of the infant's condition."