The Effect of Phototherapy on the Lymphocyte Subsets in Newborn

Objective: The purpose of our study is to investigate the effect of phototherapy on lymphocyte subsets in the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. Material and Methods: Twenty two term infants as the study group and 25 term infants as the control group were hospitalized. Lymphocyte subsets levels were investigated in blood samples during hospitalization in all infants. However, subsets levels were investigated before and eight hours after the phototherapy, and once again after 48 hours in 16 infants in the study group. Results: The lymphocyte count of infants in the study and control groups were found similar, as well as the lymphocyte subsets ratios. Apart from CD4+ lymphocyte count of the study group eight hours after the phototherapy, any significant change was not observed in lymphocyte subsets. However, significant increase was determined in CD4+ ratios after phototherapy (p< 0.05). Any significant change was not determined in lymphocyte count and lymphocyte subsets 48 hours after phototherapy (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Apart from CD4+ count eight hours after phototherapy, any effect was not determined on the whole T-lymphocyte profile after 48 hours. Therefore, we assume that the possible effects of phototherapy on the immune system is not directly related to the effects on T-lymphocytes. The increase in CD4+ which appears eight hours after phototherapy requires more detailed studies regarding the effect of phototherapy on the immune system.