EFFECT OF PHOTOTHERAPY ON SERUM ELECTROLYTE LEVELS IN NEONATAL HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is the most common clinical morbidity noted during the first seven days following birth. Amongst all the modalities available for management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, phototherapy is proven to be the safest. However, like any other intervention, phototherapy too has some of its own side effects. Aims & objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of phototherapy on serum electrolyte levels in neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit with the diagnosis of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. DemographicMaterial and methods: profiles, laboratory findings, and electrolyte levels before phototherapy and 48-72 hours after phototherapy of 290 patients hospitalized with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia between Sep 2020 and March 2022 were compared in this retrospective study. The mean sodium level significantly decreased from 141.3 mg/dL to 140.1 mg/dL afterResults: phototherapy. The decrease in potassium level was not statistically significant. The mean calcium level significantly decreased from 10.02 mg/dL to 9.68 mg/dL after receiving phototherapy. The level of serum electrolytesConclusion: in newborns may change with phototherapy. Serum sodium and calcium levels may decrease after phototherapy. For prevention of possible adverse effects, the changes in electrolyte levels should be considered in the clinical course of newborns receiving phototherapy and appropriate fluid-electrolyte treatments should be given