effect of clofibrate on neonatal jaundice

ABSTRACT

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. 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 [100 mg/kg], plus phototherapy, while the control group [n = 50], received only phototherapy. 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 elfibrate also resulted in a shorter duration of hospital stay as compared to control group [P = 0.001]. A single oral dose of clofbrate [100 mg/kg] along with photo therapy is more effective than photo therapy alone in treatment of non-haemoly tic hypoerbilirution emia in full-term healthy newborn in fants