الفهرس 
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Abstract
Phototherapy plays a significant role in the treatment and prevention of hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. However, this treatment modality may itself result in the development of some complications. Among these are loose stools, erythematous macular rash, overheating, dehydration, damage to DNA, retinal injury and a benign condition called bronze baby syndrome in cholestasis.
Hypocalcaemia had been noticed in patients undergoing phototherapy. 55% of preterm neonates and 30% of full-term neonates developed hypocalcemia after being subjected to phototherapy.
Melatonin stimulates secretion of corticosterone which decreases calcium absorption by bones. Phototherapy leads to inhibition of pineal gland via transcranial illumination, resulting in a decline in melatonin level and as a result, hypocalcemia develops.
In order to prevent the development of hypocalcemia in phototherapy treated newborns, a previous study had recommended: either giving them oral calcium as prophylaxis or covering their heads and occipital area using a special hat during phototherapy, so that light effect from phototherapy on newborns’ pineal gland and consequently melatonin decrease and hypocalcemia can be prevented.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of covering the head of infants during phototherapy on phototherapy induced hypocalcemia in jaundiced newborns.
We conducted a prospective randomized controlled study at neonatal intensive care unit of Menoufia University Hospital, Egypt starting from June 2017 to April 2018.