BACKGROUND:
Jaundice or hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most common problems occurring in the neonatal period. Phototherapy plays a major role in its treatment. However, this treatment modality may itself result in complications which even contribute to the development of convulsions. Hence in this study changes in serum sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate and calcium levels are evaluated in term neonates receiving phototherapy for unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia.
AIM AND OBJECTIVE:
To estimate and compare the serum electrolytes in term neonates before and after phototherapy.
METHODS:
After getting Ethical Committee approval informed, written consent, medical history were obtained from the neonate’s mother, general examination, systemic examination was carried out for 50 full-term jaundiced neonates receiving phototherapy. Laboratory tests including total serum bilirubin by Diazo method, serum calcium level by Arsenazo III method and serum electrolytes by Ion selective electrodes analyser were performed before and after 48 hours of phototherapy.
RESULTS:
Statistical analysis was done using Paired t test. There was a significant decrease in serum bilirubin after 48 hours of phototherapy which was accompanied by a significant decrease in serum calcium levels (p=0.014) in thirty neonates (60%). None of the neonates were clinically symptomatic. There was no alteration in the values of serum bicarbonate, sodium, chloride and potassium.
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 to prevent the development of complications
