Evaluation of Serum Zinc Levels in Hyperbilirubinemic Neonates Before and After Phototherapy

Abstract

 Background: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a common clinical problem encountered during neonatal period. Zinc can reduce phototherapy duration by precipitating unconjugated bilirubin in the intestine however, zinc toxicity is an issue that must be considered since theoretically bilirubin reduction by phototherapy may increase serum zinc levels  Purpose: To study the effect of phototherapy on serum zinc level of hyperbilirubenimicfull term newborn.  Patients and Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in Fayoum University Hospital in the period from December 2017 to February 2018 after obtaining ethical approvals and informed consents. This study recruited 50 full term neonates admitted to the noenatoal intensive care units (NICU) ofFayoum University Hospital with indirect hyperbilirubinemia and requiring phototherapy according to the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines 2004.  Results: There was a highly statistically significant increase in the level of zinc after phototherapy than before phototherapy with pvalue<0.001.  Conclusion: Serum zinc was increased significantly after phototherapy which potentially may cause zinc toxicity. 