Title
A prospective study on phototherapy induced hypocalcemia in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia
Authors
Sreekanth Kanumilli, Geshmanjali Kakarala* & Lalita Wadhwa
Affiliation
Department of Paediatrics, GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, GITAM Deemed to be University, Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India; *Corresponding author
Sreekanth Kanumilli - E-mail: kanumillisreekanth@gmail.com
Geshmanjali Kakarala - E-mail: jmedasci@gmail.com; dkakaral@gitam.edu
Lalita Wadhwa - E-mail: lalita.simh@gmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received June 1, 2026; Revised June 30,
2026; Accepted June 30, 2026, Published June 30, 2026
Abstract
Phototherapy is used to treat neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and leads to hypocalcemia in newborns and how frequently and severely this complication occurs. Therefore, it is of interest to assess the incidence of hypocalcemia after 48 hours of phototherapy and compare its severity between term and pre-term newborns. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for total and direct bilirubin by diazo method and calcium by Arsenazo III method and the phototherapy was given to neonates who required it and followed according to AAP guidelines. The mean total bilirubin decreased from 13.76 ± 1.63 mg/dl before phototherapy to 6.87 ± 0.57 mg/dl after phototherapy and 2% of neonates developed hypocalcemia (<7 mg/dl). Hypocalcemia is less common and is seen in term neonates receiving phototherapy with calcium supplementation.
Keywords
Calcium, bilirubin, phototherapy, hypocalcemia, neonate, jaundice
Citation
Kanumilli et al. Bioinformation 22(6): 3510-3515 (2026)
Edited by
P Kangueane
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
