Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Phototherapy--traditional and nontraditional.

M J Maisels1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|January 23, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Visible light therapy effectively reduces high bilirubin levels in newborns by converting bilirubin into excretable isomers. This phototherapy advancement has significantly decreased the need for exchange transfusions in jaundiced infants.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Clinical trial of tin mesoporphyrin to prevent neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association·2016
Same author

Transcutaneous bilirubin levels in newborns <35 weeks' gestation.

Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association·2015
Same author

Transcutaneous bilirubin levels in newborns <35 weeks' gestation.

Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association·2015
Same author

Sister Jean Ward, phototherapy, and jaundice: a unique human and photochemical interaction.

Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association·2015
Same author

Routine blood typing and DAT in infants of group O mothers.

Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association·2013
Same author

Tin-mesoporphyrin in the treatment of refractory hyperbilirubinemia due to Rh incompatibility.

Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association·2012

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Biochemistry
  • Photobiology

Background:

  • Neonatal jaundice is a common condition characterized by elevated serum bilirubin levels.
  • High bilirubin can lead to serious neurological complications if untreated.
  • Traditional treatment for severe hyperbilirubinemia included exchange transfusion, a risky procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism by which visible light reduces serum bilirubin in newborns.
  • To understand the photochemistry of bilirubin isomerization and excretion.
  • To establish the efficacy of phototherapy as a primary treatment for neonatal jaundice.

Main Methods:

  • Observation of clinical effects of light on jaundiced infants.
  • Biochemical analysis of bilirubin photodegradation products (isomers).
  • Investigation of light dose-response relationships and influencing factors.

Main Results:

  • Visible light photons are absorbed by bilirubin, converting it into water-soluble isomers.
  • These isomers are efficiently excreted by the infant's liver and kidneys.
  • Phototherapy demonstrated a significant dose-dependent reduction in serum bilirubin levels.

Conclusions:

  • Phototherapy is a safe and effective treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
  • Understanding the mechanism of action has optimized phototherapy protocols.
  • Phototherapy has largely replaced exchange transfusion for managing infant jaundice.

Related Experiment Videos