Session Speaker

Prophylactic Effect Of Clofibrate in Low Birth Weight Neonates' Hyperbilirubinemia
Ashraf Mohamadzadeh, Ahmad shah farhat, Mirzarahimi, Rana Amiri
Iran

Background: Hyperbilirubinemia is a common problem in newborn infants especially preterm ones. Numerous drugs may be reducing serum bilirubin concentration in newborn infants. At this study we determine the prophylactic effect of clofibrate in low birth weight infants' hyperbilirubinemia..

Method: In a randomized double blind clinical trial 52 low birth weight infants were selected. Study participants received either single dose clofibrate 100 mg/kg (clofibrat group n=26) or sterile water as volume as clofibrate (control group n=26) by orogastric tube. Serum bilirubin levels were measured at entrance, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of the treatment.

Results: Serum bilirubin was significantly decreased only after 24 hours in clofibrate group (p=0.045). Duration of phototherapy in clofibrate group was significantly shorter than control group (p=0.001). There were no significant difference between two groups in mean total serum bilirubin at entrance (P=0.771). Based on physical exam and liver function tests no drug side effects were seen.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that clofibrate has prophylactic effect on total serum bilirubin in the first 24 hours after drug administration and decreased duration of phototherapy in low birth weight infants.