Phototherapy and its effect on some physiological functions in newborns

Abstract Phototherapy represents the most common therapeutic intervention at neonatology departments in the first days of life. The beneficial effects of light on the decrease of the serum bilirubin level were first described by Cremer et al. in 1950’s (1). Since then phototherapy has been successfully used to treat severe hyperbilirubinaemia and has almost completely replaced exchange transfusion. Phototherapy is a relatively non-invasive method. However, along with decreasing bilirubin level, it can also influence some other functions: perfusion of organs, predominantly skin; peripheral vascular resistance; distribution of blood flow; heart activity and, thus, also systemic blood pressure along with breathing. A side component of applied light is a certain amount of heat which warms the body surface up and, therefore, the risk of exogenous overheating and increased water loss through the skin arise. Maternal-infant separation, modification of calcium homeostasis, disturbed circadian rhythm, or changes of the hemodynamics of various organ systems are only a few of the undesired effects which prove phototherapy not to be a treatment without any side effects. Careful indication of phototherapy is essential, particularly in premature infants.