Effect of Phototherapy on Serum Magnesium Level in Term Neonates with Hyperbilirubinemia

Several adverse effects including hypocalcemia have been reported for phototherapy in the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, but less have been reported regarding the effect of phototherapy on serum magnesium level. This study was carried out to determine the effect of phototherapy on serum Mg level in term neonate with hyperbilirubinemia. In a cohort study in 2012 all term neonates admitted for the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia, according to the local protocol, included. All sick babies and those who required exchange transfusion excluded. A blood sample for magnesium level assessment was taken before and also after 72 hr of conventional phototherapy. The serum magnesium levels before and after phototherapy were compared and a P- value less than 0.05 was considered being significant. Overall one hundred and twenty neonates studied. The mean gestational age was 39.01± 0.974 weeks and the mean birth weight was 3359.17 ± 426 grams. The mean serum magnesium level before the phototherapy was 2.869 ± 0.367 mg/dl and 72 hrs after the phototherapy decreased to 2.604±0.292 mg/dl (p value =0.001). No sign and symptom attributable to hypomagnesemia were observed. Phototherapy could decrease the serum magnesium level in term neonate with hyperbilirubinemia and the amount of this decrease could not cause any sign and symptom.