Serum Magnesium Levels in Neonatal Jaundice: Is There any Correlation Between Hypermagnesemia and Moderate to Severe Hyperbilirubinemia in Term Newborns?

Background: Neonatal jaundice is a common major problem; on the other hand, it is suggested that there is a correlation between plasma magnesium concentrations and hyperbilirubinemia during the neonatal period. Objectives: The study aims to validate a previously reported risk index for predicting the magnesium level of plasma for moderate to severe hyperbilirubinemia in infant neonates. Methods: A cross-sectional correlation study was performed on 93 term newborns with indirect hyperbilirubinemia admitted in neonatology unit of a children hospital and plasma magnesium level of moderate to severe Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were determined, and statistical analysis was performed. Results: Authors did not find any statistically meaningful positive or negative correlation between plasma Mg level and bilirubin in patients studied; however, comparison of Mg level in two groups of severe and moderate hyperbilirubinemia showed decreased dispersion of medium Mg level in the severe group. Conclusions: Serum magnesium concentration is not useful in anticipation of which newborn infant will develop hyperbilirubinemia.