Necrotizing enterocolitis following intensive phototherapy in full-term newborns – is there a possible association?

Abstract

Abstract Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis is rare in full-term infants, and is currently not considered a known complication of phototherapy. Highlights: Three cases of necrotizing enterocolitis in full-term babies possibly associated to intensive phototherapy for treatment of early neonatal hyperbilirubinemia due to isoimmune hemolytic disease of the newborn. Conclusions: Although rare, the association between occurrences of necrotizing enterocolitis in full-term newborn infants and intensive phototherapy merits caution and clinical awareness to such possible complication. Presumptive explanation is that intensive phototherapy causes marked vasodilataion in the skin that may result in decreased perfusion of the intestine leading to ischemia and necrotizing enterocolitis. This calls for further studies to investigate the effects of phototherapy on the vascular bed in the gut and other vital organs that could have clinical implications.