Effect of Blue LED Phototherapy on Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Term and Preterm Infants with Hyperbilirubinemia

Purpose Phototherapy is generally recognized as a effective, safe, and well-tolerated treatment in neonatal jaundice. Despite evidence that oxidative stress and its impact are more pronounced in preterm infants, there is a lack of comprehensive studies investigating the oxidative stress caused by phototherapy and its effects on DNA damage in both term and preterm newborns. This study evaluated the effect of blue LED phototherapy on oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage in term and preterm neonates with hyperbilirubinemia. Methods This single-center, prospective, controlled observational study included 20 term and 20 preterm infants receiving phototherapy and 17 term and 19 preterm controls without phototherapy. Blood samples were collected before and 24 hours after phototherapy to assess total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidative status (TOS), and DNA damage (8-OHdG). Results Before phototherapy, TAC and TOS levels were similar across groups. Preterm infants had lower TOS and 8-OHdG levels than term infants, whereas TAC was comparable. After phototherapy, TAC, TOS, and 8-OHdG levels decreased significantly in preterm infants, while no significant changes were observed in term infants. Following treatment, preterm infants had lower TAC, TOS, and 8-OHdG levels than term infants. Conclusion Blue LED phototherapy reduced oxidative stress and DNA damage markers in preterm neonates but not in term neonates. The observed reduction in oxidative stress markers observed in preterm infants after phototherapy suggests a gestational age–dependent biochemical response to phototherapy, potentially mediated by bilirubin-related redox balance.