Immune competence assessment in hyperbilirubinemic newborns before and after phototherapy.

Tests for immune competence in normal and hyperbilirubinemic newborns--before and after phototherapy--were assessed. The lymphoproliferative response to PHA-M in hyperbilirubinemic infants was inhibited in the presence of autologous plasma in comparison with normal infants and normal adults. The phototherapy does not seem to inhibit the lymphoproliferative response. After phototherapy, an increased level of IgM and a slight decrease in IgG concentration were found. These data support the possibility that phototherapy is not contraindicated during septic hyperbilirubinemia.