Current Pediatric Research

Background: Jaundice is a significant problem in early neonatal period. It is suggested that there is a positive correlation between plasma ionized Mg levels and severity of hyperbilirubinemia in newborn.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 120 neonates in neonatology unit, Pediatrics Department, Tanta University Hospital from August 2013 to August 2014. All of them suffering from neonatal jaundice. Blood samples for determination of plasma Mg (total and ionized) and serum bilirubin levels were obtained from infants.

Results: There was statistically a significant difference in relation to magnesium level between group of before phototherapy and group of after phototherapy. There was statistically a significant difference in relation to ionized magnesium level between group of before phototherapy and group of after phototherapy.

Conclusion: We concluded that Phototherapy decrease serum Mg level as it decrease serum bilirubin and there is a positive relation between serum bilirubin and serum Mg levels.

Recommendation: Oral magnesium supplementation and covering head during phototherapy in order to prevent reaching light to the pineal gland and so prevention of melatonin decrease which leads to the prevention of hypomagnesemia

Author(s): Mohamed S El Frargy, Hamed M El-sharkawy, Gihan F Attia

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