Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics

Introduction: Neonatal jaundice is a frequent problem affecting the newborn with various etiologies. Although phototherapy is considered the standard treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, it comes with some complications, such as erythematous rashes, diarrhea, hyperthermia and electrolyte disturbance.Aim: To assess the effect of phototherapy on liver enzymes, renal functions, and serum electrolytes in jaundiced patients before and after phototherapy. Methods: This observational cross sectional study was conducted at the phototherapy NICU, Cairo University, Abu El Rich Children{u2019}s Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. One hunderd neonates with unconjugated hyberbilirubinemia were enrolled into the current study during the period from March 2019 to September 2019. Each neonate was subjected to detailed history taking, clinical examination and Laboratory investigations. Jaundiced neonates were placed under phototherapy naked while covering eyes and genitalia at a distance of 45-50 cm from phototherapy unit. They were managed with continuous phototherapy in open bed. The position of the baby was changed from time to time. Results: In the present study, mean TSB significantly decreased between before (16.51 ± 2.11) and after (7.49 ± 1.23) phototherapy with p value <0.001. Mean DSB showed statistically significant decrease before and after treatment (1.05 ± 0.24 vs.0.31 ± 0.25) (p<0.001). Mean AST (29.84 ± 8.23 vs. 26.83 ± 6.95) and ALT (27.79 ± 8.51 vs. 24.60 ± 8.49) showed statistically significant difference between before and after phototherapy (p<0.001). We also observed significant differences in potassium and Calcium levels (p-value of < 0.001 in each case). After treatment there were significant decreases in mean potassium (4.48 ± 1.19 vs. 3.85 ± 0.53) and Calcium 9,08 ± 0,63 vs. 7,7 ± 0,90 p<0.001

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