Preventive Effect of Clofibrate on Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

Background: Neonatal jaundice is a common problem that can result in serious neurological side effect such as Kern icterus. Several drugs are used to prevent neonatal jaundice. The effect of clofibrate in the prevention of hyperbilirubi-nemia in healthy term neonates has not been paid attention to. This study aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of clofibrate on neonatal jaundice in term neonates. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 80 healthy newborns randomly divided in to cases and control groups. The case group received clofibrate (50 mg/kg of body weight) orally in the first hour after birth and after the first period of breastfeeding. Serum bilirubin levels were measured in cord blood and again at 24, 48 and 72 hours after birth in both groups and were compared. Babies with clear jaundice on the first day, direct neonatal jaundice>1 mg/dl, sick infants, and infants of mothers treated with phenobarbital and preterm infants weighing less than 2500 gr were excluded. Results: The mean bilirubin level in cord blood and its level at 24, 48 and 72 hours after birth in control groups were 1.99±0.46, 2.88±0.88, 5.94±1.15, 7.65±1.69, respectively and in the case group were 2.12±0.75, 2.89±0.95, 5.8±1.16, 7.18±1.57, respectively. Thus, the mean bilirubin in the case group is lower, but it was not statistically significant. Also, sex distribution, Rh-blood group incompatibility and G6PD deficiency in both groups showed no significant difference. Conclusions: Our results showed that prophylactic clofibrate application reduced neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, but wasn’t statistically significant.