[Marked variations in phototherapy policy for neonatal jaundice in Dutch centers].

OBJECTIVE

To determine what guidelines are used in Dutch hospitals in the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia.

DESIGN

Descriptive.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Paediatricians in 63 hospitals were sent a standard guideline diagram of phototherapy management and asked to describe how their management differed. The 10 neonatal intensive care units in the Netherlands were asked to send their phototherapy guidelines in more detail.

RESULTS

Thirty-four hospitals (54%) and the 10 neonatal centres (100%) responded. The data obtained showed no general agreement; several different guidelines were used, notably with respect to the serum bilirubin concentration levels and the number of postnatal hours.

CONCLUSION

We recommend that consensus should be reached on the use of phototherapy. A more restricted use of phototherapy probably would save costs without loss of quality.