Effects of Phototherapy on Antioxidant Status of Preterm and Term Infants with Hyperbilirubinemia

Objectives: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of phototherapy on antioxidant status of preterm and term infants with hyperbilirubinemia.
Methods: Term and preterm infants were divided to three groups; group 1: 28 to < 32 weeks, group 2: 32 to < 37 weeks, and group 3: term infants hospitalized due to jaundice requiring phototherapy during the first to ninth day of life . Fifty-six infants were included in this study. Levels of serum total bilirubin, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and catalase were measured before and 24 hours after phototherapy.
Results: It was found that the reduced glutathione levels in group 1 including preterm infants decreased significantly after phototherapy. It was observed that levels of malondialdehyde increased significantly in term infants compared to preterm infants in group 1 and group 2. It was observed that the decreases in bilirubin and superoxide dismutase enzyme were correlated in group 2 preterm infants and group 3 term infants.
Conclusions: Phototherapy did not significantly affect the antioxidant level in the present study. The fact that there was a significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase levels after phototherapy only in group 1 preterm infants suggests that more attention should be paid when phototherapy is used in this age group.