EFFECT OF PHOTOTHERAPY ON SERUM CALCIUM LEVELS IN TERM NEONATESWITH UNCONJUGATED HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA.

Background: Jaundice is one of the most common problems occuring in the neonatal period. Phototherapy plays a major role in its treatment. However, this treatment modality may itself result in inherent complications which even contributes to the development of convulsions. Hence this study is carried out to evaluate serum calcium levels in full term neonates receiving phototherapy for jaundice. Aim and objective: To determine the effect of phototherapy on serum calcium level in full-term hyperbilirubinemic neonates. Methods: After getting Ethical Committee approval informed, written consent from the mother the medical history, general examination, systemic examination of the neonate was carried out. This study was performed on 30 full-term jaundiced neonates (15 males and 15 females) receiving phototherapy. Laboratory tests including total serum bilirubin measured by Diazo method and serum calcium level measured by Arsenazo III method were carried out before and after 48 hours of phototherapy. Results: Statistical analysis was done using Paired t test. After 48 hours of phototherapy, there was a significant decrease in serum calcium levels from 9.51?0.29 mg/dl to 8.38?0.31mg/dl (p=0.014) in eighteen neonates (60%) . None of the neonates were clinically symptomatic. Conclusion: This study shows a decrease in serum calcium levels in term infants exposed to phototherapy. Hence serum calcium should be monitored regularly for neonates receiving phototherapy.