Global beliefs and practices regarding sunlight exposure for newborn jaundice: a scoping review

Neonatal jaundice affects most newborns worldwide and remains a major cause of preventable bilirubin-induced neurological injury in low-resource settings. Although international guidelines recommend standardised electric-powered phototherapy and discourage uncontrolled sunlight exposure due to safety concerns, uncontrolled sunlight exposure remains widespread in many communities. This review seeks to determine worldwide beliefs and practices regarding sunlight exposure for the prevention or treatment of neonatal jaundice, and to assess their implications for newborn care, especially in resource-limited settings.