Effect Of Phototherapy On Serum Calcium Level In Term Neonates

Hyperbilirubimenia is one of the most common problems in neonates. Observed as an abnormal physical finding in the first week of life in approximately 60% of term neonates and 80% of preterm neonates. Photo therapy is one of the routine management of jaundice. It has been hypothesized that photo therapy leads to increased calcium absorption by the bones through irradiating the pineal gland and reducing melatonin level. Our study done in Alkarkh maternity hospital NICU from January 2017 till December 2017, 100 Neonates with hyper bilirubinemia admitted to our NICU and treated with photo therapy. Serum calcium level estimation was done before photo therapy and after 48 hours of phototherapy and compaired. Out of 100 neonates studied 65 babies has a decrease in serum calicum level after 48 hours of phototherapy. None of them were symptomatic. There was no signifance between reduction in serum calicum level and birth weight. There is significant reduction in serum calcium level after photo therapy but risk of hypocalicemia is low in healthy full term neonates.