European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

THE EFFECT OF ORAL GLUCOSE ON SERUM BILIRUBIN LEVELS IN FULL TERM NEONATES WITH HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

*Mohammed Kadhim Jasim

ABSTRACT

Background: Jaundice is responsible for 75 % of hospitalizations within the first week after birth. Infant taken oral glucose solution is a tradition that is common in many countries and several studies reported about its effects. Objective: Determining the effect of oral glucose solution on serum bilirubin level in full term infants with hyperbilirubinemia when combined with phototherapy versus phototherapy alone. Methods: A randomized controlled study included 50 full - term infants with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy. Infants were randomly assigned into a oral glucose solution group that included 25 infants treated with phototherapy and oral glucose solution, and a control group that included 25 infants treated with phototherapy alone. Total serum bilirubin (TSB) and stool frequency were measured daily in the two groups during hospital stay till discharge. Transcutaneous bilirubin after discharge and whole gut transit time (WGTT) were measured. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding daily TSB. WGTT was significantly shorter in oral glucose group compared with control group (P = 0.01). The mean stool frequency was significantly higher in oral glucose group compared with control group at first, second and third days of admission (P = 0,001, 0.01, 0.000) respectively. Twenty - four hours after discharge, transcutaneous bilirubin measurement was significantly lower in oral glucose group compared with control group (p = 0,000). Conclusion: oral glucose solution for full term neonates with unconjugated non - hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy, significantly increased stool frequency and decreased WGTT. Yet, it didn't affect TSB levels in the first 4 days of admission.

Keywords: Enterohepatic circulation jaundice, stools.