The Outcome of Photo-Therapy on Serum Calcium Values in Term Neonates: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: In the management of hyperbilirubinemia in neonates, phototherapy is an important treatment modality. Photo-therapy can cause skin rashes, diarrhoea, increase in body temperature, retinal damage and bronze baby syndrome. Photo-therapy is thought to influence serum calcium levels by inhibiting pineal melatonin secretion.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this research was to see how photo-therapy affected serum calcium values in a term neonate.

Materials and Methods: Over the course of six months, 74 neonates were studied in the neonatology department of a tertiary healthcare centre in Central India.

Results: Calcium values fell in 77 % of the neonates in our sample, but only one case fell into significant symptomatic hypocalcemic range (1 percent).

Conclusion: According to the findings, neonates who are receiving photo-therapy have a higher risk of falling into the hypocalemic range. As a result, neonates should be strictly observed for calcium shifts and treated appropriately.