Background: Jaundice is one of the most common problems in neonatal period. In 60% of term and 80% of preterm neonates seen during the first week of birth and most cases are physiologic. Phototherapy is used to treat it, which seems to be safe. Some studies showed that thrombocytopenia is one of the side effects of phototherapy.
Aim and objectives: the aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of hypocalcaemia and thrombocytopenia after initiation of phototherapy in treatment of neonatal jaundice.
Patients and methods: The present study was carried out on 50 full term and 50 preterm neonates having unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia treated with phototherapy. They were selected from neonatology unit of Al Hussein university hospital during the period from 1st of March to 1st of September 2020. Neonates were divided into two equal groups: Group I: 50 full term neonates (26 males and 24 females). Group II: 50 preterm neonates (27 males and 23 females). They were selected by simple random method. All the studied group were subjected to complete clinical examination and laboratory evaluation including Complete Blood Picture (CBC), serum Calcium level, Total serum bilirubin, Direct serum bilirubin, Blood grouping (ABO) and Rh factor.
Results: There were 46% of neonates in group II (preterm) developed hypocalcaemia after 48 hrs. of use of phototherapy, while there were only 30% in group I. Also, there were 80% of hypocalcaemia neonates in group II developed jitteriness, while there were 66% in group I. There was 30% of neonates in group 1 developed thrombocytopenia (73.3% mild, 26.7% moderate) compared to 36% of neonates in group II developed thrombocytopenia (77.8% mild, 22.2% moderate) after 48 hrs. of phototherapy.
Conclusion: phototherapy can significantly decrease the levels of calcium in jaundiced term and preterm infants undergoing phototherapy for 48 hours. Phototherapy in newborns with Indirect Hyperbilirubinemia leads to decrease in platelet count both in term and preterm baby.