Phototherapy in neonates for treatment of pathological jaundice is an effective therapeutic tool that is widely used in neonatal units. Over the past years, a greater concern has emerged about the effects on the immune and inflammatory system and its potential genotoxic and side effects, especially the late ones, possibly associated with childhood diseases, showing that this treatment is not as harmless as previously believed. Numerous studies assessing these possible adverse effects of phototherapy on neonates have been published over the past years. Through this review, we seek to analyze what we know about the side effects of phototherapy in the neonatal period. The main causes of jaundice, phototherapy techniques, acute and late side effects, and effects on the immune and inflammatory system were reviewed. It was concluded that phototherapy is not a treatment free of side effects and further studies need to be conducted to elucidate its harmful effects on neonates.

Side Effects of Phototherapy on Neonates.

When exposed to light, bilirubin undergoes photoisomerization which are water-soluble and can be excreted in bile and urine. Photoisomerization starts as soon as the lights turned on, and risk of bilirubin encephalopathy is lower in infants who receive phototherapy even in the same serum bilirubin levels. Blue light is absorbed most readily if bilirubin is in a tube, but skin penetration and albumin binding shift of the most effective light to blue-green region. However, there is no consensus on the most effective wavelength for phototherapy. The light sources used in conventional phototherapy are fluorescent bulbs, halogen lamps or light-emitting diodes (LED) with equally effective in reducing serum bilirubin levels. Fiberoptic devices are less effective. Despite higher irradiance in double or triple phototherapy, there is no superiority in clinical settings. Hyperthermia and skin rashes are higher when used super (high-intensity) LED devices. Watery loose stools may cause dehydration in preterm infants. Riboflavin loss and lipid peroxidation are prevented with using dark tubing or covering the line with aluminum foil. The consequences of light penetration into deep brain in newborn infants because of open wide fontanel and thin skull is unknown. Non-ocular light exposure and suppressed melatonin secretion may affect autonomic and behavioral disturbances. Phototherapy-induced hypocalcemia may be prevented by covering the head. Phototherapy does not effect ductal patency or reopening, its effect on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity have yielded conflicting results. Neonatal phototherapy increases the risk of asthma and allergic disorders in older age groups. Aggressive (low-threshold) phototherapy increase mortality risk in small preterm infants less than 750 g at birth, which may be related to the reduced bilirubin with its antioxidant effects. In conclusion, phototherapy is not a treatment without side effects and overtreatment should be reevaluated in small preterm infants. Proceedings of the 11th International Workshop on Neonatology and Satellite Meetings · Cagliari (Italy) · October 26th-31st, 2015 · From the womb to the adultGuest Editors: Vassilios Fanos (Cagliari, Italy), Michele Mussap (Genoa, Italy), Antonio Del Vecchio (Bari, Italy), Bo Sun (Shanghai, China), Dorret I. Boomsma (Amsterdam, the Netherlands), Gavino Faa (Cagliari, Italy), Antonio Giordano (Philadelphia, USA)

https://www.jpnim.com/index.php/jpnim/article/download/040255/310

Phototherapy in the newborn: what's new?

Background

Neonatal blue light phototherapy (NBLP) is an established method of managing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Approximately 5% of newborns are exposed to NBLP. Evidence of whether NBLP predisposes to the development of melanocytic nevi later in life has been conflicting.



Objectives

The goal of the current study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantitatively assess the effect of NBLP on melanocytic nevus count.



Methods

We searched for observational studies in Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register from their inception to April 15, 2015. Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were followed. DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models were used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD). Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and the Egger's test.



Results

Five studies with a total of 2,921 subjects were included, of whom 642 underwent NBLP. With random-effects modeling, those who had previous NBLP did not have a significantly higher mean number of melanocytic nevi (WMD = 0.32 [95% confidence interval −0.67, 1.31], p = 0.53). Visual inspection of the funnel plot suggested potential publication bias, although the Egger's test (p = 0.09) indicated no small-study effect.



Conclusion

There was no evidence that prior NBLP exposure significantly increased the number of melanocytic nevi. Available evidence has not revealed any cause for major concern for NBLP. Other risk factors such as exposure to sunlight, childhood history of sunburn, and fair skin complexion might play a greater role in the development of melanocytic nevi in childhood.

Neonatal Blue Light Phototherapy and Melanocytic Nevus Count in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Massage therapy for the treatment of neonatal jaundice: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Phototherapy and risk of childhood cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Neonatal blue light phototherapy (NBLP) is an effective treatment for hyperbilirubinaemia. Concerning the influence on melanocytic nevi, conflicting studies have been published. To assess the role of NBLP according to the incidence of melanocytic nevi in preschool children, a cohort of 104 5- to 6-year-old children were included. The case group consisted of 52 NBLP-exposed children, while the control group (n = 52) never had NBLP and was matched regarding age, gender, gestational age and skin phototype. Six dizygotic twins were included with one twin having received NBLP, respectively. The following parameters were recorded: nevi count, presence of freckles, cafe-au-lait macules, skin phototype and previous history of sun exposure. There was no significant association between nevi count and exposure to NBLP (median nevi count 17.0 compared to 18.5 in controls). No significant difference was also found in the dizygotic twin pairs with a median nevi count of 10.0 (with NBLP) compared to 14.5 (without NBLP). However, a significantly higher prevalence of cafe-au-lait macules was found in children with NBLP (mean count 0.5) than in children without NBLP (mean count 0.2; p = 0.001). Significant predictors for the number of melanocytic nevi included skin phototype, sun exposure and vacations in the South. Conclusion: In this study, NBLP had no significant influence on the development of melanocytic nevi, but on cafe-au-lait macules which was a new finding. Differences with comparable studies regarding age, differentiation between nevi and other pigmented lesions as well as dose and type of NBLP need to be taken into account for further investigations.

Neonatal blue light phototherapy increases café-au-lait macules in preschool children.

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Neonatal blue light phototherapy increases café-au-lait macules in preschool children.