Introduction: One of the most prevalent disorders requiring medical attention or hospitalization for neonates is neonatal jaundice. It is estimated that jaundice affects ۸۰% of preterm and ۶۰% of term neonates. The rise of indirect (non-conjugated) hyperbilirubinemia is toxic and harmful to the central nervous system and may lead to kernicterus, which is a permanent and severe damage to nervous system. Treatments like phototherapy or blood exchange may be required to treat indirect hyperbilirubinemia. Despite being a nearly safe form of treatment, phototherapy can nevertheless have negative effects on the developing infants. Studies have shown that phototherapy can affect the balance of water and electrolytes and renal function through different pathways. Method: This research is a retrospective cohort analysis of newborns at Hazrat Masoumeh Children's Hospital who received phototherapy between April ۲۰۱۸, and the end of March ۲۰۲۳. The study population was established by going over the records of newborns treated with phototherapy for jaundice between April ۲۰۱۸, and the end of March ۲۰۲۳, in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. From the neonates' medical records, data on their demographics, serum levels of potassium, sodium, BUN, and creatinine before and after phototherapy were taken, and statistical analysis was done on the results. Findings: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the study included the files of ۲۴۹ newborns in total. Based on an analysis of laboratory measurements, the neonates' serum bilirubin level was ۴.۲۴ ± ۲۴.۰۲. When the newborns were admitted to the hospital, none of them exhibited serious electrolyte imbalances. ۱۳۶.۴۱ ± ۴
sodium and ۰.۶ ± ۴.۳۵
potassium were the average levels, respectively. Following ۴۸ hours of phototherapy, the average
potassium level was ۰.۹ ± ۴.۲ and the average
sodium level was ۶ ± ۱۳۵.۸۴. Following ۴۸ hours of phototherapy, the investigated population's average
potassium and salt levels dropped. However, there was no statistically significant difference. (p value was calculated for
sodium changes equal to ۰.۲۴ and for
potassium level changes equal to ۰.۳۱.) Conclusion: This study investigated the impact of intensive phototherapy on electrolyte abnormalities in term newborns with bilirubin levels greater than ۲۰ mg/dL. Following ۴۸ hours of phototherapy, there was a slight decrease in
potassium and
sodium levels, but not significant. Furthermore, there was no correlation observed between the decrease in electrolyte levels with data from laboratory tests conducted before hospitalization, sex, weight, height, or mode of birth.
