Effect of phototherapy on serum calcium level in term neonate with Hyperbilirubinemia at a tertiary care hospital

Dr Rajesh Singh; Dr Ankur Priyadarshi

Volume : IX, Issue : III, March - 2019

Effect of phototherapy on serum calcium level in term neonate with Hyperbilirubinemia at a tertiary care hospital

Dr Rajesh Singh, Dr Ankur Priyadarshi

Abstract :

Background: Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most prevalent problems in neonates. Jaundice is observed during first week of life in approximately 60% of term neonates and 80 % of preterm neonates. Phototherapy is one of the routine methods for management of hyperbilirubinemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether significant change in serum calcium level occurs in term neonates who are undergoing phototherapy and to find out the association between effect of phototherapy on serum calcium level. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 100 term neonates (65 males and 35 females) admitted to NICU of Paediatrics Department at Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College Hospital Bhagalpur with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and requiring phototherapy. Total Serum bilirubin levels and serum calcium levels were checked before and after phototherapy. Neonates were assessed for clinical features of hypocalcemia i.e. jitteriness, irritability/excitability, lethargy and convulsions. Results: After phototherapy, there was hypocalcemia in 33.0% neonates. The difference between pre and post phototherapy serum calcium levels were found to be statistically significant (p <0.001). 3.0% of neonates developed jitteriness among those who had hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia was more in subjects who received phototherapy for longer duration. Conclusion: There is significant reduction in serum calcium level after phototherapy but risk of symptomatic hypocalcemia is low in healthy full–term neonates. Careful estimation of calcium status should be done before starting and during phototherapy for neonatal jaundice and close monitoring of neonates for signs of hypocalcemia should be done