Phototherapy Induced Hypocalcemia in Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

Background:Jaundice is an important problem in the 1 st week of life affecting approximately 60% of term and 80% of preterm infants. It is commonly managed by phototherapy. Phototherapy may result in the development of hypocalcemia & create serious complications including seizures & other condition. Objective:To study the effect of phototherapy on serum calcium is neonatal hyperbilirubiniea. Design: Prospective hospital based comparative study Material and Methods :This was a prospective hospital based comparative study at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Rajendra Institute Of Medical Sciences, Ranchi from June 2015 to may 2016 after taking ethical committee approval. The study group includes 60 neonates (40 term and20 preterm). All had hyperbilirubinemia. All the neonates included in the study group required phototherapy. The neonates in the control group were managed without phototherapy. Serum bilirubin & serum calcium were determined before & after 48 hour of phototherapy. Results:After 48 hour phototherapy in study group, a significant tall in calcium level in 30% of term & 70% of preterm neonates was observed (p value <0.001). Whereas, no difference was observed in control group. Phototherapy induced hypocalcemia is a significant problem especially in preterm neonates.