To Study the Effect of Phototherapy on Serum Calcium of Term Neonates with Hyperbilirubinemia

Background: The most prevalent first-week abnormality is neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NNH). Clinical jaundice affects almost two thirds of newborns. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, caused by the liver’s immature bilirubin excretory pathway, is the most prevalent reason for neonatal stay in the first week after postnatal discharge. Phototherapy or exchange transfusion address hyperbilirubinemia. Phototherapy changes skin unconjugated bilirubin with blue light. Bilirubin is transformed to less harmful water-soluble photo-isomers that are eliminated in bile and urine without conjugation. Every treatment has side effects. The study examines how phototherapy affects term newborns with hyperbilirubinemia’s serum calcium. Method: This study is prospective observational. Blue light 420-470 nm (zeal medical systems 46 w phototherapy unit) was used on all infants. The individuals were 20 cm from four blue fluorescent lights with a wave-length range of 420 to 470 nm above their heads. An infant-specific disposable eye shield shielded the eyes, while little diaper pants concealed the genitals. Noted were birth weight, age in hours at hyperbilirubinemia diagnosis, feed type, and blood group incompatibility. The newborns were fully examined. A sterile venous blood sample was obtained from the participant’s left arm. Results: This study measured 150 neonates’ blood bilirubin, serum calcium, ionized calcium, hematocrit, and weight before and after phototherapy. The outcomes at the start and end of phototherapy were compared. We show weight and length measurements in our study. Mean ± SD weight of 150 term neonates is 2.88±0.24 kg. The average length is 51.21±0.83 cms. During phototherapy, the mean ± SD of total serum bilirubin started at 19.27±2.62 mg/dl and ended at 10.08±6.87 mg/dl, with a statistically significant ‘p’ value. (P= <0.001).After phototherapy, the mean ± SD of serum calcium was 8.97±0.50 mg/dl, compared to 9.10±0.50 mg/dl before phototherapy. Serum calcium levels reduced considerably after phototherapy (p = 0.018). The ionized calcium levels at the beginning and end of phototherapy (4.81±0.30) showed statistical significance. There was no significant difference in hematocrit readings before and after phototherapy. Comparing weight before and after phototherapy was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The current study found that phototherapy-induced icterus in newborns reduced serum calcium levels significantly. In newborns that got phototherapy, hypocalcemia symptoms such convulsions, jitteriness, cyanosis, and apnea did not occur. Phototherapy babies should have calcium levels tested and addressed. Phototherapy-induced hypocalcemia was obvious in our investigation, although the indicators were not significant. The reduction may lead to the threshold needed to produce hypocalcemia. Thus, infants should have serum calcium, ionized calcium, haematocrit, and serum bilirubin measured before, during, and after phototherapy. By monitoring and maintaining normal serum levels, we can prevent phototherapy-related problems in neonates.