Phototherapy thresholds depend on gestational age, age in hours and neurotoxicity risk factors. Current guidance uses hour-specific charts, and the gap between the measured level and the threshold guides when to recheck.
A documented follow-up plan is what makes it safe not to start phototherapy below threshold.
- Record the infant's exact age in hours at the time of the sample.
- Check for risk factors: low gestation, haemolysis, sepsis, low albumin, G6PD deficiency.
- G6PD deficiency is common in parts of India; test where available.
- Arrange a repeat bilirubin and follow-up based on the distance below threshold.
Why it matters
Treating on a single number without age in hours over-treats some babies and under-treats others.
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