Effect of phototherapy on serum calcium levels in neonates receiving phototherapy for neonatal jaundice in tertiary care hospital

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hyperbilirubinemia is common and in most cases, benign problem in neonates. Phototherapy is the most common therapeutic intervention in these Neonates. However, it is not a harmless intervention. It can produce adverse effects such as dehydration, temperature instability, skin rashes, loose stools, retinal damage, hypocalcaemia, bronze baby syndrome, redistribution of blood flow and genotoxicity. The risk of hypocalcaemia due to phototherapy in preterm may be more than term neonates. This study is designed to observe the incidence of phototherapy induced hypocalcaemia in neonates, with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, after giving phototherapy