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Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
13:13

Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia

Published on: August 24, 2011

Antioxidant status in neonatal jaundice before and after phototherapy

Kiran Dahiya1, A D Tiwari, Vijay Shankar

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Pt.B.D. Sharma PGIMS, H. No. 20, Subhash Nagar, PIN-124001 Rohtak, Haryana India.

Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry : IJCB
|October 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Phototherapy for neonatal jaundice increases oxidative stress by raising malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase levels. This treatment also depletes key antioxidants like glutathione and vitamin C, necessitating careful application.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

  • Neonatal jaundice is common and often treated with phototherapy.
  • Phototherapy's impact on oxidative stress markers in neonates requires further investigation.
  • Existing research suggests a link between phototherapy and increased oxidative stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effects of phototherapy on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in jaundiced neonates.
  • To compare oxidative stress markers in neonates undergoing phototherapy with healthy controls.
  • To assess changes in malondialdehyde, glutathione, total thiols, vitamin C, superoxide dismutase, and albumin levels.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of thirty jaundiced neonates and twenty healthy controls.
  • Measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), total thiols, vitamin C, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in hemolysate.
  • Measurement of plasma albumin levels before and after phototherapy.

Main Results:

  • Significantly elevated MDA and SOD levels in jaundiced neonates compared to controls, with further increases post-phototherapy.
  • Significantly decreased GSH, total thiols, and vitamin C levels in jaundiced neonates compared to controls, with further decreases post-phototherapy.
  • Significantly decreased plasma albumin levels after phototherapy.

Conclusions:

  • Phototherapy exacerbates oxidative stress in neonates.
  • The study highlights a significant depletion of non-enzymatic antioxidants and albumin due to phototherapy.
  • Phototherapy for neonatal jaundice should be administered with caution due to its pro-oxidative effects.

Keywords:
Neonatal JaundiceOxidative stressPhototherapy

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