Prospective study Effect of the intravenous fluid supplementation effects on serum bilirubin levels in jaundiced healthy term neonates during conventional phototherapy

 

Iranpour R., Nohekhan R and Haghshenas I.

Abstract

Objectives : Adequate hydration and good urine output improve the efficacy of phototherapy. The aim of this study was evaluation of the effect of intravenous fluid supplementation on decrement of serum bilirubin levels in jaundiced healthy term infants during conventional phototherapy.

Methods: Since March through October 2003, a clinical controlled study was performed in the neonatal ward of Al-Zahra teaching hospital in Isfahan, Iran. Sixty healthy breastfed neonates with non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia were randomly assigned to receive either exclusively breast milk on demand (n=30) or intravenous fluid supplementation in addition of breast milk (n=30) during conventional phototherapy.

Result: No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding the mean birth weight, gestational age, weight and age on admission. The mean total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels at the time of enrollment and within 84 hours after phototherapy were not statistically different between two groups. Similarly, the mean rate of decrement in TSB levels during the first 12 h of phototherapy in supplemented and non-supplemented groups were0.31±0.06 and 0.10 ± 0.1 mg/dl/h, respectively (P=0.31). Duration of phototherapy required in supplemented and non-supplement groups were 58 ± 13.02 and 63.20 ± 13.71 hours, respectively (P=0.13).

Conclusion: These data show that administration of extra intravenous fluid in normal, term; breastfed neonates had not a beneficial effect on reducing the hyperbilirubinemia during conventional phototherapy.

Key words: Hyperbilirubinemia; phototherapy; neonates; fluid supplementation; dehydration.