Effect of phototherapy on the plasma levels of antidiuretic hormone in the newborn infant

: The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of prolonged phototherapy on plasmatic levels of Anti Diuretic Hormone (ADH) in jaundiced newborns. 13 hyperbilirubinemic, otherwise healthy full-term newborns submitted to the phototherapy, were compared to 12 healty, full-term nursery newborns as a control group. No statistical difference was found in ADH levels in 3rd day of life between jaundiced and normal newborns. ADH levels before and after phototherapy do not present any statistical difference, in the jaundiced neonates receiving adequate water and caloric intakes. There was no positive correlation between ADH and bilirubin levels neither in 3rd nor in 5th day of life. Prolonged phototherapy, constant covering of the eyes, deprivation of the day-night rhythm, in absence of gross environmental alterations or of pathological findings, are lacking of effect on the ADH levels in hyperbilirubinemic neonates.