Phototherapy. Short and long-term complications.

Photodynamic Damage Induced by Bilirubin on Human Platelets: Possible Relevance to Newborn Pathology

“…Irradiation with fluorescent white light in vivo was shown to break bilirubin down into water-soluble products which can be elimi nated with bile and urine [2], Phototherapy has only been associated with minor side effects, like bronze skin, 1 Preliminary results were presented at the Interna tional Symposium on New Trends in Phototherapy held in Galzignano. Padova, June 9 -1 1, 1983. diarrhea, fever and skin rashes [3], However, several reports have appeared showing var ious aspects of bilirubin-sensitized photo damage [4]. In particular, it has been shown that erythrocytes can be hemolized by visible light in the presence of bilirubin [5], Maurer et al [6] showed that the rate of platelet turn over was significantly increased in the course of phototherapy.…”

The Effect of Phototherapy on Intestinal Mucosal Enzyme Activity in the Gunn Rat

“…Although no long-term adverse effects of light therapy on gastrointestinal function have been described in human infants (12,14,17), concern about the safety of this modality has been long-standing. Phototherapy has been widely employed in clinical pediatrics for the reduction of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia since the report by Cremer et al (8) in 1958.…”

“…Although reported side effects are few and relatively minor (12) general concern persists about the possible injurious effects of light on the human infant (3,14). While the occurrence of diarrhea in some infants under going phototherapy has been reported (2,14), and lactase deficiency has been suggested as the mechanism for the loose stools (1,2), others have denied these findings (27).…”

Comparison of gallium nitride derived light-emitting diodes and compact fluorescent lamp phototherapy units in management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

“…2 Fever, loose stools, rashes, dehydration are common clinically observable side effect of phototherapy. 3 Over the last 2 decades, there has been a constant efforts to develop ways to increase the efficacy of phototherapy and at the same time reduce the side-effects. Since long special blue standard length tube lights (STL) phototherapy and special blue compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) phototherapy equipment's are used in most neonatal units for management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.…”