Influence of Phototherapy on Markers of Apoptosis in Full-Term Infants

Abstract

aundice is the most common condition that requires medical attention in newborns. In most infants, unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia reflects a normal transitional phenomenon. However, in some infants, Serum bilirubin levels may rise excessively, which can be cause for concern because unconjugated bilirubin is neurotoxic and can cause death in newborns and lifelong neurologic sequelae (kernicterus) in infants who survive. Although phototherapy is the standard treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, it may lead to potential side effects such as retinal degeneration, diarrhea, dehydration, and skin rash. Experimental studies have demonstrated that phototherapy increased apoptosis in the mouse lymphoma cell line and neonatal small intestine cells. It is essential to study the side effects of phototherapy to restrict its use in those with significant hyperbilirubinemia. A case control study was conducted on 50 full term neonates (30 with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy according to American Academy of Pediatrics <AAP> Guidelines and 20 healthy non jaundiced neonates as a control) enrolled from neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Ain shams University Hospital and El-Galaa Military Hospital thoughout the period from November 2016 to August 2017 with the aim of assessing the influence of phototherapy on apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes in full-term infants using an apoptotic marker P53.