Serum zinc changes in term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia after phototherapy

Background: Neonatal jaundice occurs due to the elevated levels of unconjugated bilirubin and may induce neurological sequelae, such as encephalopathy. Phototherapy remains the main primary management in neonatal jaundice; one of its effects is elevated in zinc level. Objectives: Assess serum zinc level in full term neonates who had hyperbilirubinemia and treated by phototherapy before and after phototherapy and study it`s relation to selected neonatal, maternal and labour factors. Methods: A prospective study has been carried out in Basrah Maternity and Children Hospital, 2nd neonatal care unit to assess serum zinc on 60 term neonates appropriate for gestational age with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia treated by phototherapy. Neonatal, maternal data were collected, serum zinc was assessed before and after phototherapy, (normal range: 50-150 μg/dL), elevated in serum zinc was studied in relation to selected variables. Results: It was found that total serum bilirubin was lower after phototherapy and serum zinc was elevated. The result is statistically significant. Elevated serum zinc was found in 33.3% of cases. It was more in in extensive phototherapy than double or single. P value < 0.05. Also, more with prolonged period of phototherapy but the result was statistically not significant. It was not related to other neonatal or maternal characters. Conclusion: Serum zinc is elevated after phototherapy in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia, increase level is more with use of extensive phototherapy and increase level of total serum bilirubin.