Phototherapy-associated changes in mesenteric blood flow response to feeding in term neonates.

Doppler blood flow velocity of the superior mesenteric artery was measured preprandially and postprandially in 12 term neonates during phototherapy and 4 hours after discontinuation of this therapy. The postprandial increase in blood flow velocity was significantly less during than after phototherapy. We suggest that the phototherapy-induced peripheral vasodilation may be responsible for diverting blood from the intestines and limiting the normal neonatal postprandial response.