A study on impact of covering the heads of icteric neonates during phototherapy on the prevalence of hypocalcaemia

Raji Ramachari; Divya Panneerselvam

Volume : VII, Issue : II, February - 2018

A study on impact of covering the heads of icteric neonates during phototherapy on the prevalence of hypocalcaemia

Raji Ramachari, Divya Panneerselvam

Abstract :

Background: Jaundice is one of the most common causes for hospital admission in the newborn period. If left untreated it can progress to kernicterus, which can affect the neuro developmental outcome in babies and may also lead to death. Phototherapy is one of the most reliable, safe methods to treat hyperbilirubinemia and one of the commonest side effect is hypocalcaemia. There is some evidence that the use of a stockinet cap to cover the head prevents phototherapy–induced hypocalcaemia. In this present study we examine the effect of head cover on the prevalence of hypocalcaemia during photo therapy.

Methods: This single blind randomized controlled study, with 150 term neonates admitted in NICU at GKMC, for a period of six months. The study group was divided into Group A and Group B with 75 each. Group A underwent Phototherapy without head cap (Control) and Group B underwent Phototherapy with head covered with cap (Intervention). The serum calcium level of each newborn was tested at baseline and 48 hours after phototherapy.

Results: Out of 75 neonates in group A 34 had serum total calcium less than 7mg/dl (hypocalcaemia), whereas in group B only 15 had serum total calcium less than 7mg/dl.

Conclusion: Simple intervention like covering the head of neonates with cap reduces the incidence of hypocalcaemia.