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Challenges of phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (Review)

Juan Wang1,2, Genxin Guo3, Aimin Li2

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China.

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
|February 22, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Phototherapy effectively treats neonatal jaundice by lowering bilirubin levels. However, this treatment may cause adverse effects, necessitating further research into safer alternatives and standardized protocols.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Pediatric photobiology
  • Medical treatment risks

Background:

  • Neonatal jaundice is common, with phototherapy as the standard treatment.
  • Phototherapy efficiently reduces serum bilirubin and prevents neurotoxicity.
  • Concerns exist regarding potential short- and long-term adverse effects of phototherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the causes, mechanisms, and risks of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
  • To summarize current knowledge on phototherapy's adverse reactions.
  • To explore strategies for mitigating risks and developing alternative treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on neonatal jaundice and phototherapy.
  • Analysis of etiological factors and mechanisms of adverse effects.
  • Synthesis of therapeutic strategies and risk-reduction approaches.

Main Results:

  • Phototherapy is highly effective but associated with risks like hemolysis and DNA damage.
  • Adverse effects can manifest as pediatric diseases, including allergies and potential cancer.
  • Understanding these risks is crucial for clinical practice.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of phototherapy's adverse effects.
  • Developing novel therapeutic alternatives is essential.
  • Standardized and optimized phototherapy protocols are required to minimize infant risks.

Keywords:
adverse reactionhyperbilirubinemiajaundiceneonatalphototherapy

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