Effect of Oral Administration of Cholestylamine with Phototherapy in the Treatment of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Cholestylamine has been shown to release chloride ion and absorbs bile acid in the intestine, forming a nonabsorbable complex preventing enterohepatic circulation. The purpose of this study is to clarify the value of cholestylamine and the adequate dosage, in combination with phototherapy, as well as to confirm whether it shorten the duration of hospitalization. METHODS: Total 80 full-term neonates with a total bilirubin level greater than 12mg/dL were studied. The neonates were randomly divided into four groups (1) Only phototherapy group (A)(2) 250mg/kg/day cholestylamine with phototherapy group (B)(3) 500mg/kg/day cholestylamine with phototherapy group (C)(4) 1000mg/kg/day cholestylamine with phototherapy group (D). RESULTS: Forty-eight hours, 72 hours and 96 hours after the beginning of the study, the mean bilirubin level among the B, C, D groups significantly diminished than A group (P<0.05). The duration of phototherapy and hospitalization significantly diminished in the D group. After phototherapy, finished mean bilirubin level was markedly diminished in the D group. CONCLUSION: The data revealed that oral administration of cholestylamine (especially 1000mg/kg/ day cholestylamine with phototherapy group D) not only increased the efficacy of phototherapy, but also shortened the duration of phototherapy.