Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2025
How to Administer Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Critically ill Neonates, Infants, and Children
Published on: August 19, 2020
Effect of Light-Emitting Diode Phototherapy on Serum Calcium Levels in Neonates With Jaundice
Karthikeyan Panneerselvam1, Sathyamoorthy Mani1, Nandini Vasudevan1
1Pediatrics, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre/SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, IND.
Insights
Light-emitting diode phototherapy for neonatal jaundice can lower serum calcium levels, leading to hypocalcemia in some infants. Monitoring calcium is recommended during this treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Phototherapy Research
Background:
- Neonatal jaundice is common and often treated with phototherapy.
- Light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy is a newer modality for treating neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
- Potential adverse effects of phototherapy, including calcium level changes, require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of LED phototherapy on serum total calcium levels in term neonates with jaundice.
- To determine the incidence of hypocalcemia during LED phototherapy.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study included 104 term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia.
- Serum total calcium and total bilirubin levels were measured before and after LED phototherapy.
- Neonates were monitored for clinical signs of hypocalcemia.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant decrease in serum total calcium levels was observed post-phototherapy (p<0.001).
- Hypocalcemia (serum calcium <8 mg/dL) occurred in 12.5% of the neonates studied.
- No specific mention of clinical symptoms in relation to calcium levels.
Conclusions:
- LED phototherapy, like conventional phototherapy, is associated with hypocalcemia as an adverse effect.
- Routine monitoring of serum calcium levels is advisable for neonates undergoing LED phototherapy.
- This finding highlights the importance of vigilance for metabolic disturbances during neonatal phototherapy.
Background:
To assess the change in serum total calcium levels during light-emitting diode phototherapy treatment for jaundice in term neonates.
Methods:
A prospective observational study was done on 104 term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia in a tertiary care center to investigate the effects of phototherapy using a light-emitting diode device. The total serum bilirubin along with total calcium levels was measured at the start and at the end of phototherapy. Additionally, all the newborns enrolled in the study were evaluated for hypocalcaemia-related symptoms such as jitteriness, irritability/excitability, lethargy, and convulsions.
Results:
A significant lowering of posttreatment total calcium level compared to that of pretreatment level (p<0.001) was found in our study. Hypocalcemia (serum calcium <8 mg/dL in term neonates) was found in 12.5% of the study subjects.
Conclusions:
In the treatment of neonatal jaundice, similar to conventional blue and white light phototherapy, light-emitting diode phototherapy also has hypocalcemia as an adverse effect. We recommend monitoring these babies for hypocalcemia during light-emitting diode phototherapy.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...
01:14Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
01:27Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...