EFFECT OF DURATION OF PHOTOTHERAPY ON SERUM CALCIUM LEVEL IN NEWBORN WITH NEONATAL JAUNDICE

BACKGROUND To determine the prevalence of hypocalcaemia and duration of phototherapy in neonatal jaundice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Prospective observation study. Setting, NICU of Silchar Medical College. Participants, 200 neonates with neonatal jaundice admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit over a period of 1 year from June 2014 to May 2015. Main outcome measures, full-term neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia requiring phototherapy and present neonates 34 weeks to less than 37 completed weeks with unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia requiring phototherapy. Serum calcium level measured at 24 hours, 36 hours and 48 hours of phototherapy. Blood drawn from peripheral hand and feet veins with sterile disposable syringes and needles. Hypocalcaemia defines as < 7 mg/dL. RESULTS The study revealed that out of 200 neonates 31% developed hypocalcaemia, in which 48% in preterm and 14% in term neonates. According to duration of phototherapy 24 (8%) at 24 hours, 15 out of 73 (21%) at 36 hours, 103 (44%) at 48 hours of phototherapy respectively indicating that not only phototherapy even duration also affects incidence of hypocalcaemia. CONCLUSION Serum calcium status in neonates while starting phototherapy of 24 hours is to be measured every 6 to 12 hours and supplementation of calcium is to be considered if hypocalcaemia is found.