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Subject Area

Cardiac Surgery

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of phototherapy-induced hypocalcemia in icterus newborns and to evaluate the role of head covering in preventing the occurrence of hypocalcemia in the neonatal ICU of Menoufia University hospitals. Background Neonatal jaundice is defined as the yellowish discoloration of the sclera and skin caused by hyperbilirubinemia, which is one of the most common conditions confronting neonatologists daily. About 60% of term and 80% of preterm infants develop jaundice in the first week of life. Phototherapy is the primary treatment in neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia Patients and methods Our study was conducted on 200 neonates recruited from the neonatal ICU in Menoufia University hospitals, and they were divided into two groups: group A comprised 100 term babies with head covering (hat) during phototherapy. Group B comprised 100 term babies without head covering during phototherapy. Total serum calcium was checked on arrival and 48 h after starting phototherapy. Results There was a highly significant increase in total calcium 48 h after phototherapy (mg/dl) and ionized calcium 48 h after phototherapy (mg/dl) in neonates with head covering compared with neonates without head covering. In contrast, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between both groups with regard to total and ionized calcium on admission (mg/dl). Conclusion Covering the head of infants under phototherapy using a hat was an effective, safe, noninvasive, and cheap method for the prevention of phototherapy-induced hypocalcaemia.

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