SOME BIOCHEMICAL INDICES IN HYPERBILIRUBINAEMIC TERM NEONATES EXPOSED TO PHOTOTHERAPY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Some biochemical parameters were evaluated as a function of duration of photo exposure in unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemic term neonates treated with phototherapy at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin. Forty neonates of ages 3-7 days were selected for the study. Blood specimens were collected at 0 hour, 24 hour, and 72 hour of phototherapy. Activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione Reductase were measured in the blood specimens. Plasma levels of Malondialdehyde, vit. C, electrolytes, total protein, albumin and lipids were also measured in the specimens. Activities of the antioxidant enzymes (Glutathione Peroxidase, Superoxide Dismutase, and Glutathione Reductase) decreased as phototherapy progresses (p<0.05). Glutathione peroxidase (U/L): 6296±2106.0 (at 0 hour), 4100.7±2379.6 (at 24 hour), and 3727.2±2396.5 (at 72 hour). Glutathione Reductase (U/L): 1841.2±1088.8 (at 0 hour), 1316.9±1010.7 (at 24 hour), and 981.0±946.5 (at 72 hour). Superoxide Dismutase (U/mL): 335.3±116 (at 0 hour), 294.6±111.3 (at 24 hour) and 190.9±78.9 (at 72 hour). Malondialdelyde level (μmol/L) increased with phototherapy progression (p<0.05): 3.54±1.10 (at 0 hour), 4.94±1.10 (at 24 hour), and 5.23±1.06 (at 24 hour). No significant changes were observed in the levels of vit. C (g/dl), electrolytes (mmol/L), proteins (g/l) and lipids (mmol/L) (p>0.05). It could be concluded from the results that phototherapy induces oxidative stress in neonates.