Abstract
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.
Keywords
jaundice - hyperbilirubinemia - neonate - phototherapy - side effects