Effect of phototherapy on cardiac function in full term neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia

Phototherapy of jaundiced neonates has many cardiovascular effects such as decrease in blood pressure and stroke volume. However, the effect of phototherapy on cardiac function in neonates has not been fully investigated yet. We investigated, for the first time, the effect of phototherapy on cardiac function in jaundiced full term neonates using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). Phototherapy may cause myocardial dysfunction that is correlated with the duration and number of phototherapy unit. Cardiac shield may be needed during phototherapy.