Side Effects of Phototherapy on Neonates.

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.

Chemokines plasma levels in preterm newborns of preeclamptic mothers.

Information on leukocyte activation in newborn infants of preeclamptic mothers is scarce. IL-8 and GRO-α are the main pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in leukocyte activation. The objective was to evaluate IL-8 and GRO-α plasma levels in preterm newborns infants of preeclamptic mothers. Newborns with gestational age<36 weeks and birth weight<2000 g were included and divided: non-preeclamptic (n=64) and preeclamptic groups (n=55). Exclusion criteria were major congenital malformations, inborn errors of metabolism or chromosomal anomalies, congenital infections, death in delivery room, and maternal chronic hypertension without preeclampsia. IL-8 and GRO-α were measured by enzyme immunoassay in the first 48 h. Groups were similar in birth weight, gestational age, Apgar scores at 5 min, sepsis, RDS, mechanical ventilation, TPN, NEC, intraventricular hemorrhage and death. The preeclamptic group had more neutropenia, SGA, cesarean section, and less rupture of membranes>18 h. IL-8 was higher in the non-preeclamptic [157.1 pg/mL (86.4-261.3) and 26.54 pg/mL (3.6-87.2) p<0.001]. GRO-α levels were similar in both groups [229.5 pg/mL (116.6-321.3) and 185.5 pg/mL (63.9-306.7) p=0.236]. After multiple regression analysis only absence of preeclampsia was associated with high IL-8 levels. Our data suggest that leukocyte activation may be impaired in infants of preeclamptic mothers.