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LACK OF THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN NEWBORN INFANTS TREATED WITH PHOTOTHERAPY

Recent investigations in animals and in low birthweight infants showed that conventional phototherapy increases the rate of platelet turnover. A prospective study was designed to investigate the time relationship between clinical signs of neonatal sepsis, detection of thrombocytopenia and positive blood culture. As part of the same study we investigated the effect of conventional phototherapy on platelet counts. Sixty newborn infants who had septic work-up but without positive blood culture and without a clinical condition known to cause thrombocytopenia were included in this study. Platelet counts by phase microscopy were done at the time of septic work-up and repeated at 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Twenty-four infants received phototherapy during the study period (mean 48 ± 25 S.D. hours) and 36 served as controls.None of the infants of phototherapy or control group developed thrombocytopenia (platelets <100,000/mm3)neither statistical comparisons between the two groups, at the above time intervals, showed any significant differences. Contrary to previous reports this study does not show any thrombocytopenia associated with conventional phototherapy although the platelet turnover may be increased. In the presence of thrombocytopenia, etiology other than phototherapy should be considered.