Effect of phototherapy on serum calcium level in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Authors

  • Sandeep Shrestha NAMS
  • Sunil Budhathoki Karnali Academy of Health Science, School of Medicine
  • Sesananda Sanjel Karnali Academy of Health Science, School of Medicine
  • Namrata Sindan Karnali Academy of Health Science, School of Medicine
  • Nirajana Kayastha Karnali Academy of Health Science, School of Medicine
  • Annie Shrestha Karnali Academy of Health Science, School of Medicine

Keywords:

Keywords: hyperbilirubinemia, hypocalcemia, phototherapy

Abstract

ABSTRACT :  Neonatal  hyperbilirubinaemia or jaundice is one of the commonest issues affecting neonates. It is observed in up to 60% of term infants and 80% of preterm infants .Phototherapy is one of the therapy methods for jaundice Hypocalcemia is one of the lesser known side effects, but is a significant complication induced by phototherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cross sectional study , conducted between May 2020 and April 2021 at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Newborn Care Unit of Karnali Academy of Health sciences (KAHS), Jumla. A total of 40 neonates with  jaundice of either sex managed by phototherapy were enrolled in the study. Total serum bilirubin levels and serum calcium levels were checked before and after phototherapy. All the data were recorded in the preformed proforma and  was analyzed using SPSS version 20. p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: As per the study, the mean age of the neonates was 4.12±1.09 days and mean gestational age  was 38.55 ± 2.34  weeks. The mean  age at which jaundice was noticed in the neonates was 4.13 ± 1.4 days .Pre-phototherapy and post phototherapy level of total serum bilirubin was  14.53 mg/dl ± 2.91 mg/dl  and 10.29 mg/dl  ± 2.13 mg/dl  respectively whereas serum calcium level before and after  initiating phototherapy was 9.23 ± 1.11 mg/dl and  8.37 ± 0.69 mg/dl. respectively.  22.5% of jaundiced neonates receiving phototherapy developed  hypocalcemia.

CONCLUSION : Hypocalcemia is a common complication of phototherapy which is  a commonly used modality of treatment for neonatal jaundice.

 

Keywords: hyperbilirubinemia, hypocalcemia, phototherapy

 

 

Published

2021-08-31

How to Cite

1.
Shrestha S, Budhathoki S, Sanjel S, Sindan N, Kayastha N, Shrestha A. Effect of phototherapy on serum calcium level in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Journal of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences [Internet]. 2021Aug.31 [cited 2024Nov.29];4(2). Available from: http://jkahs.org.np/jkahs/index.php/jkahs/article/view/426