Abstract
Phototherapy is an accepted form of medical therapy for hyperbilirubinenia, but controversy still exists concerning its safety and long tent effects. To assess the effects of phototherapy on the ECG, two groups of 20 neonates were studied. Grwp A: full tern, 11 F, 9 M, more than 2500 grams. A CBC, Blood Type, Coombs test and Indirect Bilirubin determination was done within 8 hours of age and the bilirubin was repeated dally until discharge. An ECG was done every 8 hours for 3 days. Croup B: full term, 9 F, 11 M, more than 2500 grama - who developed an Indirect Bilirubin of more than 10 mg%. Identical laboratory studies were done and ECG's were performed pre, during and post phototherapy (every 8 hours). There was no clinical cardiac disease in either group. The following ECG measurements were evaluated: heart rate, P-R Interval, QRS interval, corrected Q-T interval, ST or T wave abnormalities or arrythmias of any kind. There was no evidence of any change in any of the ECG measurements at any bilirubin level or at any length of time under the bilirubin lights, in group B compared to Group A. It is concluded that phototherapy has no effect on the electrocardiogram in the newborn infant.
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Martin, C., Shapiro, S., Iraland, W. et al. THE EFFECTS OF PHOTOTHERAPY ON THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM OF THE NEWBORN. Pediatr Res 11, 538 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01007
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01007