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.