Abstract:       (78310 Views)
                    
                    
                    Abstract:
Background: Hyperbilirubinemia is a common problem in newborn infants and may progress to kernicterus if not treated. The objective of this study was to determine the therapeutic effect of clofibrate in full-term healthy neonates with non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia. 
Material and method: A randomized clinical trial was performed on two groups of healthy full-term neonates with jaundice. Clofibrate group, (n=50), received a single dose of oral clofibrate (100mg/kg), plus phototherapy, while the control group (n=50), received only phototherapy.
Results: The mean plasma total bilirubin levels at 12, 24, and 48 hours  after treatment were significantly lower in the clofibrate treated group, as compared with the control group (p=0.001).
At 48 hours of treatment, 48% of patients in the clofibrate group, had bilirubin levels <12 mg/dl in comparison with 16% of control group (p=0.001). 
Treatment with clofibrate also resulted in a shorter duration of hospital stay as compared to the control group (p=0.001).
Conclusion: A single oral dose of clofibrate (100mg/kg), along with phototherapy is more effective than phototherapy alone in treatment of non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia in full-term healthy newborn infants. 
KEYWORDS: Neonatal jaundice, Clofibrate, Non-hemolytic hyperbillirubinemia, RCT.
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    Type of Study:  
Original |
                    Subject: 
                    
Pediatrics  Received: 2009/10/3 | Published: 2009/05/15