The Effect of Phototherapy on Various Biochemical Parameters in Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

Abstract

Phototherapy (PT) is the current modality of choice for treatment of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The effects of PT on
various biochemical parameters including serum calcium, bilirubin profile, serum total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine,
serum electrolytes in neonates are a concern in current times. Like any other treatment, PT also has its own side effects.
This hospital-based, prospective, comparative observational study was conducted with the objective to assess the level of
various biochemical parameters like serum calcium, serum sodium, serum potassium, serum chloride, serum urea and serum
creatinine, serum total protein and serum albumin in addition to serum bilirubin before PT and after completion of 48 hours
of PT in full-term neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia at a tertiary care center. On comparing biochemical
parameters, a statistically significant difference in parameters such as bilirubin, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride,
calcium, total protein and albumin was observed after PT. On the other hand, there was a statistically nonsignificant difference
in corrected calcium (p = 0.945).