Could timed light therapy save more premature babies?

NCT ID NCT03927833

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: NICHD Neonatal Research Network Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study compares two ways of using phototherapy (light treatment) for jaundice in extremely premature infants (under 750 grams or 27 weeks gestation). One group gets continuous light, the other gets timed cycles based on bilirubin levels. The main goal is to see if cycled phototherapy helps more babies survive to go home. The trial has enrolled 1,700 infants across multiple centers.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Phototherapy lights (device)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could lead to a safer, more effective way to treat jaundice in extremely premature babies, potentially improving survival.
What could go wrong: This is a large trial, but results are not yet published. The approach may not prove better than standard continuous phototherapy, and individual responses may vary.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

hyperbilirubinemia Infant, Newborn, Diseases Premature Birth

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HYPER BILIRUBINEMIA PREMATURE INFANT

Contacts and locations

Locations

Brown University - Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island, 02905, United States
Case Western Reserve University, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital

Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States
Cincinnati Children's Medical Center

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267, United States
Duke University

Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States
Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, United States
Northwestern Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
RTI International

Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States
Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital

Columbus, Ohio, 43205, United States
Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns

San Diego, California, 92123, United States
Stanford University

Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States
Univeristy of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States
University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
University of Mississippi Medical Center - Children's of Mississippi

Jackson, Mississippi, 39216, United States
University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131, United States
University of Rochester

Rochester, New York, 14642, United States
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Dallas, Texas, 75235, United States
University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108, United States

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