Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of clofibrate in reducing total serum bilirubin levels in near term neonates with non hemolytic jaundice. A randomized controlled study was carried out in the neonatal ward of Children's Hospital, Tabriz, Iran, over one year period. Sixty eight healthy near term infants with non hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia were randomized to receive phototherapy plus clofibrate (n=35) or phototherapy and placebo (n=33). There were no significant differences in the weight, gender, modes of delivery and age of neonates between two groups. Similarly, the mean total serum bilirubin (TSB) level at the time of admission was not significantly different between the two groups (19.72±1.79 versus 20.05±2.82 mg/dl, P=0.57). The mean TSB 48 h after phototherapy (8.06±1.34 versus 10.94±2.87 mg/dl P=0.02) and the mean duration of phototherapy (64.32±12.48 versus 87.84±29.76 h P<0.0001) was significantly lower in clofibrate treated group. Clofibrate is an effective adjunctive drug in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and results to lower TSB level and reduced duration of phototherapy in near term newborns.

Key words: Clofibrate, near term neonate, non hemolytic jaundice, phototherapy.