Abstract Neonatal jaundice, or hyperbilirubinemia, is a relatively common condition, and occurs in 2 out of 3 newborns. The condition is often transient. However, untreated hyperbilirubinemia can cause kernicterus and nervous system damage. Worldwide, over 114 000 infants die and 65 000 infants grow up with permanent brain damage due to this condition [1]. A […]

Oral tissues are exposed to optical radiation during various dental treatments and diagnostic methods. However, adverse effects are seldom addressed. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and visible near-infrared reflection spectroscopy (VNIRS) were used to observe oral tissue changes in mice exposed to blue light with respect to erythema (erythema index; EI) and pigmentation (melanin index; MI). Pigmented mice (C57BL/6N; ngroup = 3) were exposed on the tongue and the abdominal skin for control or left unexposed. Irradiation was performed with an LED intended for photopolymerisation of dental materials (λpeaks: 409/460 nm) with irradiance ≈ 2 W/cm2 and radiant exposure ≈ 120 J/cm2.

The aims of this study were to improve the algorithms for calculating a transcutaneous bilirubin index (TcB), to follow the bilirubin concentrations during phototherapy and to evaluate possible changes in skin optical parameters such as pigmentation and erythema during phototherapy.