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Accentuation by Phototherapy

Nathan Rudolph, MB, BCh; Aruna J. Parekh, MB, BS; Joan Hittelman, PhD; Joanne Burdige, MS; Shing L. Wong

Am J Dis Child. 1985;139(8):812-815.

Abstract
• Riboflavin is a cofactor in the conversion of pyridoxine (vitamin B₆) to pyridoxal phosphate (PALP), an essential coenzyme in numerous metabolic pathways, including neurotransmitter synthesis. Riboflavin and pyridoxine are light sensitive in vitro, and conflicting results have been reported on the in vivo effects of phototherapy on riboflavin. We studied 25 full-term neonates receiving phototherapy and 16 healthy controls to evaluate their riboflavin and PALP status. Both vitamin cofactors decreased in both sets of infants, but significantly more so in the irradiated group. While the biologic or clinical importance of a modest biochemical decline in the level of PALP has not been established, it is possible that transient behavioral changes in irradiated, jaundiced neonates could be mediated by decreased availability of PALP. The mechanism for the postnatal decline and the desirability of routine supplementation with pyridoxine, especially in irradiated infants, require further study.

(AJDC 1985;139:812-815)

Author Affiliations
From the Departments of Pediatrics (Drs Rudolph and Parekh and Mr Wong) and Psychiatry (Dr Hittelman and Ms Burdige), State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Department of Pediatrics, Box 49, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203 (Dr Rudolph).

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