Effects of blue light phototherapy on DNA integrity in preterm newborns.

In previous studies, exposure to phototherapy, but not oxygen therapy, resulted in damage to genetic material in newborns. The objective of this study was to determine whether micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE) increased in preterm newborns (PNBs) who were exposed to blue light phototherapy lamps. MNE of mature organisms are rapidly eliminated by the spleen, and the presence of MNE has been related to immaturity in some species.

Micronucleated erythrocytes in preterm newborns exposed to phototherapy and/or oxygentherapy.

Preterm newborns (PNBs) have an immature antioxidant defense system, and this makes them more susceptible to oxidative stress generated by postnatal treatments. The objective was to determine whether micronucleated erythrocytes increase in PNB by postnatal treatments such as oxygentherapy and phototherapy. We counted micronucleated erythrocytes and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes as DNA damage in 72 blood samples of PNB at 26-36 weeks of gestation, taken between 1 and 84 h after birth.