Sixty years of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice – from serendipitous observation to standardized treatment and rescue for millions

A breakthrough discovery 60 years ago by Cremer et al. has since changed the way we treat infants with hyperbilirubinemia and saved the lives of millions from death and disabilities. “Photobiology” has evolved by inquiry of diverse light sources: fluorescent tubes (wavelength range of 400–520 nm; halogen spotlights that emit circular footprints of light; fiberoptic pads/blankets (mostly, 400–550 nm range) that can be placed in direct contact...