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Blue LED phototherapy in preterm infants: effects on an oxidative marker of DNA damage
Lori W E van der Schoor1, Martijn H J R van Faassen2, Ido Kema2
1Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands lwevanderschoor@gmail.com.
Insights
Blue light-emitting diode phototherapy (BLP) does not induce oxidative DNA damage in preterm infants. This study found no significant changes in 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels, a marker of DNA damage, during BLP treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Medical physics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Phototherapy is standard for treating unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in preterm infants.
- Traditional fluorescent phototherapy can cause DNA damage; blue light-emitting diode phototherapy (BLP) is a safer alternative.
- The impact of BLP on DNA damage in preterm infants remains uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess if BLP induces oxidative DNA damage in preterm infants.
- To measure oxidative DNA damage using 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in urine.
Main Methods:
- An observational cohort study involving 40 preterm infants (24-32 weeks' gestational age).
- Urine samples were collected within the first week of birth for 8-OHdG and creatinine analysis.
- Urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine ratios were correlated with BLP duration and irradiance levels.
Main Results:
- BLP did not significantly alter urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine ratios at low or high irradiance levels.
- The duration of BLP treatment did not correlate with changes in 8-OHdG/creatinine ratios.
- No evidence of increased oxidative DNA damage was observed during BLP.
Conclusions:
- BLP up to 35 µW/cm²/nm does not induce oxidative DNA damage in preterm infants.
- The findings support BLP as a safe treatment for hyperbilirubinemia in preterm neonates.
- Further research can confirm long-term safety and efficacy.
Background:
Phototherapy is used on the majority of preterm infants with unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. The use of fluorescent tube phototherapy is known to induce oxidative DNA damage in infants and has largely been replaced by blue light-emitting diode phototherapy (BLP). To date, it is unknown whether BLP also induces oxidative DNA damage in preterm infants.
Objective:
To determine whether BLP in preterm infants induces oxidative DNA damage as indicated by 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG).
Design:
Observational cohort study.
Methods:
Urine samples (n=481) were collected in a cohort of 40 preterm infants (24-32 weeks' gestational age) during the first week after birth. Urine was analysed for the oxidative marker of DNA damage 8-OHdG and for creatinine, and the 8-OHdG/creatinine ratio was calculated. Durations of phototherapy and levels of irradiance were monitored as well as total serum bilirubin concentrations.
Results:
BLP did not alter urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine ratios (B=0.2, 95% CI -6.2 to 6.6) at either low (10-30 µW/cm2/nm) or high (>30 µW/cm2/nm) irradiance: (B=2.3, 95% CI -5.7 to 10.2 and B=-3.0, 95% CI -11.7 to 5.6, respectively). Also, the 8-OHdG/creatinine ratios were independent on phototherapy duration (B=-0.1, 95% CI -0.3 to 0.1).
Conclusions:
BLP at irradiances up to 35 µW/cm2/nm given to preterm infants ≤32 weeks' gestation does not affect 8-OHdG, an oxidative marker of DNA damage.
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