Effect of Intravenous Fluid Supplementation on Serum Bilirubin Level in Jaundiced Healthy Neonates during Conventional Phototherapy

Abstract

Background: Adequate hydration and good urine output improve the efficacy of phototherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravenous fluid supplementation on decrease of serum bilirubin levels in jaundiced healthy term infants during conventional phototherapy. Methods: Sixty healthy breast-fed neonates with non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia were assigned randomly to receive either breast milk exclusively (non-supplemented group; n=30) or intravenous fluid in addition to breast milk (supplemented group; n=30) during conventional phototherapy. Results: 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 decrease in TSB levels during the first 12 h of phototherapy were 0.13±0.06 and 0.10 ± 0.1 mg/dL/h in supplemented and non supplemented groups , respectively (P=0.13). Duration of phototherapy required in supplemented and non-supplemented groups was 58 ± 13.02 and 63.20 ± 13.71 hours, respectively (P=0.13). Conclusion: These data show that administration of extra intravenous fluid in jaundiced healthy, term, breastfed neonates have no beneficial effect on the rate of serum bilirubin reduction during conventional phototherapy.
Keywords: Hyperbilirubinemia, Phototherapy, Neonates, Fluid Supplementation, Dehydration.