effects of phototherapy on antioxidant status of preterm and term infants with hyperbilirubinemia

Objectives:the primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of phototherapy on antioxidant status of preterm and term infants with hyperbilirubinemia. methods:term and preterm infants were divided to three groups; group 1: 28 to < 32 weeks, group 2: 32 to < 37 weeks, and group 3: term infants hospitalized due to jaundice requiring phototherapy during the first to ninth day of life . fiftysix infants were included in this study. levels of serum total bilirubin, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and catalase were measured before and 24 hours after phototherapy. results:it was found that the reduced glutathione levels in group 1 including preterm infants decreased significantly after phototherapy. it was observed that levels of malondialdehyde increased significantly in term infants compared to preterm infants in group 1 and group 2. it was observed that the decreases in bilirubin and superoxide dismutase enzyme were correlated in group 2 preterm infants and group 3 term infants. conclusions:phototherapy did not significantly affect the antioxidant level in the present study. the fact that there was a significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase levels after phototherapy only in group 1 preterm infants suggests that more attention should be paid when phototherapy is used in this age group.