Am J Perinatol 2010; 27(5): 375-379
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1243311
© Thieme Medical Publishers

The Influence of Phototherapy on Serum Cytokine Concentrations in Newborn Infants

Renato S. Procianoy1 , 2 , Rita C. Silveira1 , 2 , Luciana T. Fonseca1 , 2 , Luciana A. Heidemann1 , 2 , Eurico C. Neto1 , 2
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
  • 2Newborn Section, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
11 December 2009 (online)

ABSTRACT

We sought to determine cytokine response in term and late preterm newborn infants on phototherapy. Twenty newborn infants with gestational age ≥35 weeks and birth weight ≥2000 g in the first week of life had serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α measured immediately prior to and after 24 hours on phototherapy. Exclusion criteria were newborns with severe congenital malformations, congenital infections, birth asphyxia, sepsis, hemolytic anemia that required blood transfusion, maternal-infant Rh incompatibility and those who required exchange transfusion or intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for hyperbilirubinemia. Median IL-6 concentrations significantly decreased after 24 hours on phototherapy (18.3 pg/mL and 7.85 pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.005). IL-6 concentrations decreased in 17 out of the 20 newborns. There were no statistical differences in IL-8, IL-10, IL-1β, and TNF-α concentrations before and after 24 hours on phototherapy. There was a statistically significant correlation between IL-6 decline and irradiance (r = 0.57, p = 0.009). The finding that serum IL-6 decreases in newborn under phototherapy suggests that phototherapy possibly has an anti-inflammatory effect, although the clinical implications of this study deserve further studies.

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Renato S ProcianoyM.D. Ph.D. 

Rua Tobias da Silva 99 conj 302, Porto Alegre

RS, Brazil, CEP 90570-020

Email: renatosp@terra.com.br