Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics

Background :Indirect hyperbilirubinemia affects more than 60% of neonates and phototherapy is the standard method of treatment. Its effects on different blood cell counts and characteristics are still being studied. Objective: To evaluate the effect of phototherapy on neutrophil functions through assessing the expression of CD16, CD11c, and CD10, and other complete blood count (CBC) parameters. Patients and methods: This prospective cohort study included 54 newborns {u2265} 35 weeks of gestation and weighing {u2265}2.5 kg presenting with indirect neonatal hyperbilirubinemia which required only phototherapy. They were recruited from the neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) of Cairo University Children{u2019}s Hospital. Neutrophil surface markers and CBC parameters were measured before and after phototherapy. Results: There was an increase in CD16, CD10 expression after phototherapy by a mean change of 32.13±76.98% and 58.67±271.91% respectively, and a decrease in CD11c expression by a mean change of -0.7±53.95% with P-values of 0.002, 0.011, and 0.008 respectively. Statistically significant decreases in hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC), red cell distribution width (RDW), hematocrit concentration (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and reticulocytic count were also detected (all Pvalues <0.001). The present study revealed no statistically significant differences in other white blood cell parameters apart from immature/total (I/T) ratio, neutrophils%, lymphocytes%, eosinophils% (P values <0.05). A decrease in platelet count and volume after phototherapy was also detected by a mean change of -2.14±23.67% and -7.91±10.25%, respectively

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