study of a new method in treatment of term newborns with non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to determine whether reduction of serum levels of bilirubin is more in full-term newborn with non-hemolytic hvperbilirubinemia that treated with new treatment than in matched control subjects. Eighty consecutively admitted term health neonate with indirect hvperbilirubinemia and indication for phototherapy were randomized into receiving phenobarbital [3 mg/kg/day] plus phototherapy as new treatment method or phototherapy as routine method after obtaining intformed consent. The neonate followed up until discharge. The total serum bilirubin levels were measured four times a day. Patient's data regarding variation of bilirubin and hospitalization duration collected and compared from the two groups. Results are presented as the mean, 95% confidence interval, 0.05% significance level and 80% power The baseline characteristics were similar in two groups. Mean ages were 5.5 +/- 2.81 and 4.80 +/- 1.68 days for control and case group respectively. Mean bilirubin levels in admission were l 9.48 +/- 2.80 mg/dl and 18.51 +/- 166 for control and case group respectively. There was significant reduction of bilirubin levels in case group compared to control group [10.54 +/- 3.00 mg/dl versus 8.60 +/- 1.99 mg/dl] [P=0.001]. No significant difference with respect to duration of hospitalization was observed in two groups' [2.05 +/- 0.59 days for control versus, 2.15 +/- 0.80 days for case group]. In despite of significant reduction of bilirubin levels in case group compared to control group, combined treatment is not helpful in reducing of hospitalization days of non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia in healthy term neonates