Development and Testing of a Home-Based Phototherapy System for Neonatal Jaundice

Neonatal jaundice is affecting up to 60% of newborns in their first week of life and its prevalence in Malaysia is about 301,000 cases annually. Jaundice is mainly caused by hyperbilirubinemia and can potentially lead to severe complications if untreated. Traditional hospital-based phototherapy, the standard treatment offered for jaundice, often lacks precision in irradiance exposure and disrupts mother-infant bonding due to the need for hospitalization. Therefore, this study proposes an innovative home-based phototherapy system with automatic light adjustment mechanisms to address these issues. The methodology started with the conceive phase which involves identifying user needs through benchmarking of the existing devices, brainstorming and conducting literature review related to the overall concept of the phototherapy system such as selection of components, irradiance levels, distance requirement of the light source and Total Serum Bilirubin monitoring. It is followed by the design and implementation. Finally, the testing phase was conducted to validate the system’s performance through irradiance testing, evaluation of system responsiveness and conducting task analysis with parents and caregivers. This study has successfully developed a home phototherapy system with safety mechanisms like exposure duration limits and an ultrasonic sensor to maintain correct light distance. It uses blue LEDs for accurate irradiance and is monitored by a lux meter. This system not only meets the clinical criteria for phototherapy but also enhances treatment precision, supports mother-infant bonding by reducing hospital stays, and lowers healthcare costs, offering a safe and convenient alternative for managing neonatal jaundice at home.