Vitamin D and Hyperbilirubinaemia in Neonates

Objectives: Low antioxidant system may contribute to the severity of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia. This study was performed with the aim of establishing whether there is a relationship between serum vitamin D level and the hyperbilirubinaemia in full-term neonates. Material and methods: This prospective study was performed by comparing serum vitamin D levels in newborns with a pathological level of hyperbilirubinaemia and healthy newborns with a physiological level of hyperbilirubinaemia or without jaundice. Ethical committee approval was obtained and written informed consent forms were received from babies' families. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in the serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels between newborns with hyperbilirubinaemia and control group (p=0.01). A significant negative correlation was noted between serum vitamin D and serum parathyroid hormone levels among the neonates recruited (r:-0.3, p:0.03). Conclusions: Our results suggest that low level of serum vitamin D may associate with hyperbilirubinaemia in full-term neonates.