Vitamin D Supplementation as Adjuvant with Phototherapy Is Beneficial in Neonatal Jaundice

Authors

  • Zeeshan Afzal University of Child Health Sciences, Children’s Hospital Lahore
  • Muhammad Tayyab University of Child Health Sciences, Children’s Hospital Lahore
  • Wajiha Rizwan University of Child Health Sciences, Children’s Hospital Lahore

Keywords:

Neonatal Jaundice, Phototherapy, Vitamin D therapy, Bilirubin

Abstract

Introduction: Jaundice is common among neonates especially during the initial week of life and poses significant risks for neonatal morbidity and mortality. Phototherapy is the standard management for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, but its potential side effects have led to exploration of adjunct therapies like vitamin D.

Aims and Objective: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in combination with phototherapy versus phototherapy alone in reducing total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels in neonates with jaundice.

Place and Duration of Study: Nursery Department, The Children’s Hospital, Lahore (CHL) over six months from 10- 05-2022 to 09-11-2022

Materials and Methods: It was a randomized controlled trial including one hundred neonates diagnosed with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (14-20 mg/dl). Patients were randomized into groups A and B. Group A received phototherapy with vitamin D (800 IU daily), while Group B received phototherapy alone. The primary outcome was the reduction in TSB levels after a maximum of five days of treatment. SPSS version 22 was used for data analysis with independent t-tests comparing post-treatment TSB levels between the two groups.

Results: The study included 64 males (64%) and 36 females (36%). Mean pre-treatment TSB levels were similar between Group A (18.14 ± 2.6 mg/dL) and Group B (18.15 ± 2.4 mg/dL). Post-treatment TSB levels were significantly lower in Group A (6.99 ± 0.457 mg/dL) compared to Group B (8.94 ± 0.884 mg/dL), with a p-value < 0.001. Stratified analysis showed consistent TSB reductions across gender, gestational age, and socioeconomic factors.

Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation in combination with phototherapy resulted in a significantly greater reduction in TSB levels in neonates with jaundice as compared to phototherapy alone. These findings suggest that vitamin D may enhance the efficacy of phototherapy in treating neonatal jaundice.

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Published

2024-12-16

How to Cite

1.
Afzal Z, Tayyab M, Rizwan W. Vitamin D Supplementation as Adjuvant with Phototherapy Is Beneficial in Neonatal Jaundice. Proceedings S.Z.M.C [Internet]. 2024 Dec. 16 [cited 2024 Dec. 21];38(4):305-9. Available from: https://proceedings-szmc.org.pk/index.php/szmc/article/view/613