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Original Research
Online Published: 31 Aug 2026
 
RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1081-1084


Comparison of the effectiveness of Vitamin D as an adjuvant to phototherapy in the reduction of indirect serum bilirubin among neonates with exaggerated physiological hyperbilirubinemia

Hafsah Naz, Muhammad Ashfaq Zafar, Saman Zafar, Perwez Ali.


Abstract
Objective: To determine the effect of vitamin D as an adjuvant to phototherapy in the reduction of indirect serum bilirubin among neonates with exaggerated physiological hyperbilirubinemia.
Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was performed at the neonatal sections of Pediatric Unit II, Mayo Hospital, and Lady Aitchison Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from February to July 2022. A total of 90 full-term neonates, aged from the 3rd day of life to the 8th day of life, and presenting with exaggerated physiological jaundice were included. After randomization, Group-A patients (intervention group) were given vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) as an adjuvant therapy to phototherapy. Group-B patients (non-intervention group) only went through phototherapy. At baseline and at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours post-treatment, serum bilirubin levels were compared to see the effect of vitamin D, applying independent sample t-test, taking p<0.05 as significant.
Results: Out of 90 neonates, 56 (62.0%) were male, with the mean postnatal age 5.2±1.5 days. At baseline, mean serum bilirubin was 17.1 ± 1.3 mg/dL in Group-A and 17.5±1.5 mg/dL in Group-B (p=0.313). After 72 hours, Group-A showed significantly greater reduction to 11.5±1.0 mg/dL vs. 13.6 ±1.3 mg/dL in Group-B (p<0.0001), with mean difference among study groups as -2.1 (95 CI: -2.6 to -1.6) mg/dl. No infants required exchange transfusion or experienced rebound hyperbilirubinemia. Vitamin D supplementation was well-tolerated, with no adverse effects observed.
Conclusion: Vitamin D when used as an adjuvant to phototherapy can accelerate the decline in serum bilirubin among term neonates with exaggerated physiological jaundice.

Key words: Bilirubin, hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, phototherapy, vitamin D.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Naz H, Zafar MA, Zafar S, Ali P. Comparison of the effectiveness of Vitamin D as an adjuvant to phototherapy in the reduction of indirect serum bilirubin among neonates with exaggerated physiological hyperbilirubinemia. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1081-1084.

Web Style

Naz H, Zafar MA, Zafar S, Ali P. Comparison of the effectiveness of Vitamin D as an adjuvant to phototherapy in the reduction of indirect serum bilirubin among neonates with exaggerated physiological hyperbilirubinemia. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=281748 [Access: November 11, 2026].

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Naz H, Zafar MA, Zafar S, Ali P. Comparison of the effectiveness of Vitamin D as an adjuvant to phototherapy in the reduction of indirect serum bilirubin among neonates with exaggerated physiological hyperbilirubinemia. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1081-1084.


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Naz H, Zafar MA, Zafar S, Ali P. Comparison of the effectiveness of Vitamin D as an adjuvant to phototherapy in the reduction of indirect serum bilirubin among neonates with exaggerated physiological hyperbilirubinemia. RMJ. (2026), [cited November 11, 2026]; 51(4): 1081-1084.


Harvard Style

Naz, H., Zafar, . M. A., Zafar, . S. & Ali, . P. (2026) Comparison of the effectiveness of Vitamin D as an adjuvant to phototherapy in the reduction of indirect serum bilirubin among neonates with exaggerated physiological hyperbilirubinemia. RMJ, 51 (4), 1081-1084.


Turabian Style

Naz, Hafsah, Muhammad Ashfaq Zafar, Saman Zafar, and Perwez Ali. 2026. Comparison of the effectiveness of Vitamin D as an adjuvant to phototherapy in the reduction of indirect serum bilirubin among neonates with exaggerated physiological hyperbilirubinemia. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 1081-1084.


Chicago Style

Naz, Hafsah, Muhammad Ashfaq Zafar, Saman Zafar, and Perwez Ali. "Comparison of the effectiveness of Vitamin D as an adjuvant to phototherapy in the reduction of indirect serum bilirubin among neonates with exaggerated physiological hyperbilirubinemia." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 1081-1084.


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Naz, Hafsah, Muhammad Ashfaq Zafar, Saman Zafar, and Perwez Ali. "Comparison of the effectiveness of Vitamin D as an adjuvant to phototherapy in the reduction of indirect serum bilirubin among neonates with exaggerated physiological hyperbilirubinemia." Rawal Medical Journal 51.4 (2026), 1081-1084. Print.


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Naz, H., Zafar, . M. A., Zafar, . S. & Ali, . P. (2026) Comparison of the effectiveness of Vitamin D as an adjuvant to phototherapy in the reduction of indirect serum bilirubin among neonates with exaggerated physiological hyperbilirubinemia. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 1081-1084.



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