Bilirubin, copper-porphyrins, and the bronze-baby syndrome.

McDonagh, Antony F · J Pediatr · 2011

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Controlled in vitro spectroscopic measurements reveal that bilirubin does not photosensitize the degradation of copper-porphyrins, as has been proposed for the mechanism of the bronze-baby syndrome, an uncommon side-effect of phototherapy. Calculations also show that copper-porphyrins are unlikely to cause the "bronzing." In conclusion, the copper-porphyrin hypothesis is photochemically implausible.

Medical subject headings