Related Experiment Videos
Phototherapy and neonatal liver function
Insights
Phototherapy effectively reduces bilirubin levels in infants. This treatment, even for 72 hours, does not negatively impact infant liver function, as shown by normal liver enzyme tests.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Phototherapy Research
Background:
- Hyperbilirubinemia is common in full-term infants.
- Phototherapy is a standard treatment for neonatal jaundice.
- Concerns exist regarding potential phototherapy effects on infant liver function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of phototherapy on liver function in infants with hyperbilirubinemia.
- To assess changes in specific liver enzymes and function tests after phototherapy exposure.
Main Methods:
- Two groups of healthy, full-term infants with hyperbilirubinemia received phototherapy for 72 hours.
- Liver function tests (SGPT, SICD, SAP, HSAP, total protein, albumin) were measured.
- Bromsulphalein (BSP) tests were conducted before and after phototherapy.
- Control groups of infants without hyperbilirubinemia were used for comparison.
Main Results:
- Phototherapy significantly decreased bilirubin levels in treated infants.
- No significant changes were observed in SGPT, SICD, SAP, HSAP, total protein, or albumin levels.
- Bromsulphalein (BSP) test results remained unaltered after 72 hours of phototherapy.
- Liver function test results were comparable between phototherapy and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Phototherapy for 72 hours is safe for infant liver function.
- The treatment effectively manages hyperbilirubinemia without adverse hepatic effects.
- Phototherapy does not appear to impair key indicators of liver function in neonates.
Abstract:
Two groups of 'healthy' full-term infants with hyperbilirubinemia exposed to phototherapy for 72 h demonstrated no significant change in serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), isocitric dehydrogenase (SICD), alkaline phosphatase (SAP), heat stable alkaline phosphatase (HSAP), total protein and albumin values; these values were similar to those of a comparable group of control infants without hyperbilirubinemia. The bilirubin levels, however, decreased significantly during this period. In a separate group of full-term infants with hyperbilirubinemia, the bromsulphalein (BSP) test before and after 72 h of phototherapy also demonstrated no signficant alteration; the results were comparable to a control group of infants. Phototherapy, even for a duration of 72 h apparently does not seem to affect liver function in infants with hyperbilirubinemia.