Spectroscopic studies and normal coordinate analysis of bilirubin

The infrared spectrum of bilirubin has been recorded in the spectral region 200-4000 cm(-1). The Raman spectrum has also been recorded using the second harmonic (530 nm) radiation of a 200 mW Nd-YAG laser. In order to confirm the vibrational assignment of the bands obtained from experimental observation, a normal coordinate analysis has been carried out using the semi-empirical AM1 method through MOPAC 5.1 computer program. Electronic absorption spectrum of bilirubin dissolved in CHCl3 has been recorded in the spectral region 300-600 nm. A broad spectrum is observed with peak maxima at 454.2 nm. The photoacoustic spectrum of this molecule (in the powder form) has also been recorded for the first time which shows certain discrete features.

Phototherapy in a new light

Visible light phototherapy has been used in the treatment of neonatal jaundice for more than 25 years. This article reviews the current state of knowledge of how phototherapy works and provides a framework for understanding why green may soon become the color of choice for phototherapy lamps.

Phototherapy for neonatal jaundice: clinical equivalence of fluorescent green and "special" blue lamps

The relative efficacy of fluorescent green (Sylvania F20T12/G) and "special" blue (Westinghouse F20T12/BB) lamps in the phototherapy of jaundiced neonates was investigated. Two groups of low birth weight infants with a mean gestational age of 35 weeks and mean birth weight of 1930 gm, who developed hyperbilirubinemia within the first 5 days of life, were given green or blue lamp phototherapy under the same irradiation conditions. No statistically significant difference in plasma bilirubin concentrations was found between the two groups after 24 or 48 hours of treatment. Because recent measurements indicate that green lamps are much less efficient than special blue lamps for the production of Z, E isomers of bilirubin in vitro and in vivo, the clinical equivalence of these two types of lamps seems to support the hypothesis that production of structural photoisomers of bilirubin is the main mechanism of phototherapy in humans. Therefore, fluorescent green lamps provide an alternative to special blue lamps for treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.