title: Ultraviolet light burn: a cutaneous complication of visible light phototherapy of neonatal jaundice.
abstract: Visible light phototherapy is an easily administered and effective treatment for neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinemia. Reported cutaneous side effects include transient rashes and the uncommon bronze baby syndrome. A more hazardous side effect is ultraviolet burn. Two premature infants developed phototherapy-induced erythema, one associated with a second-degree burn, after exposure to fluorescent daylight bulbs inadvertently used without Plexiglass shields, thus allowing prolonged ultraviolet A (UVA) exposure. Premature infants, especially during the first two weeks of life, may be significantly susceptible to UVA-induced erythema. Plexiglass shields should always be in place during visible light phototherapy, and nursery staff should be made aware of their purpose.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
authors: E C
authors: EC
authors: Siegfried
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Stone
authors: K C
authors: KC
authors: Madison
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011482:Protective Devices; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*