Effect of phototherapy on haematologic indices in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in term neonates and its impact on management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia on phototherapy Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted with 20 term neonates diagnosed with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, and recieved phototherapy. Exclusion criteria were prematurity, post- maturity, small or large for gestational age according to week of pregnancy, babies born to mothers with GDM or pre-eclampsia and congenital defects. Results: We observed that there was an increase in the lymphocyte counts from 12650 cells/mm3 before phototherapy to 10360 cells/mm3 after phototherapy with a p-value 0.03*. The mean platelet count also decreased from 209×103 cells/mm 3 to 258×103 cells/mm 3 with a p-value of 0.045 which was significant. Rest of the blood cell counts seem to be unaltered by phototherapy. Conclusions: NLRs and PLRs were reduced due to phototherapy in term neonates, and these ratios can be used to aid in management in term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia on phototherapy.