Abstract
Aim: To determine the frequency of thrombocytopenia and its severity in relation to level of indirect hyperbilirubinemia in neonates following phototherapy at tertiary care hospital.
 Study Design: Descriptive study
 Place and duration: This study was conducted at Paediatric department (neonatal ward), Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad, from 1st August 2020 till 31st Jan 2021
 Methodology: All neonates who fulfilled the inclusion criteria presented at pediatric department (neonatal ward), Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad were included in the study. After written consent, brief history was taken from the mother or family member and complete blood count (CBC) was sent to check the baseline platelet count along with total serum bilirubin, it was repeated after 48 hours of phototherapy.
 Results: Out of 231 neonates 70 (30.3%) developed thrombocytopenia after phototherapy. In our study 117 neonates (50.6%) were males & 114 neonates (49.4%) were females with the mean age of 5.9307+1.6640 days. The thrombocytopenia was seen in 70 neonates (30.3%) and type of severity was mild, moderate & severe in 52(22.5%), 13(5.6%) & 5(2.2%) respectively.
 Conclusion: There was a decline in mean platelet count after phototherapy but it was not statistically significant. The treating doctor should also keep in mind, other causes of thrombocytopenia when the patient is receiving phototherapy.
Highlights
Neonatal jaundice is treated by phototherapy, exchange transfusion, and various drugs like Phenobarbitone and intravenous immunoglobulin [2]
Phototherapy is widely used for the treatment of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia [3]
In standard textbooks there is nothing about phototherapy induced thrombocytopenia but many authors found it in their studies
Summary
Jaundice in neonates is very common but, most of the time it is physiological and don’t need any treatment [1]. Neonatal jaundice is treated by phototherapy, exchange transfusion, and various drugs like Phenobarbitone and intravenous immunoglobulin [2]. Phototherapy is widely used for the treatment of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia [3]. It is safe but, it is not free of side effects, like increased insensible water losses, watery diarrhea, irritability, fever, retinal damage, bronze baby syndrome, gonadal toxicity, hypocalcaemia and thrombocytopenia [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
