Reduction In Serum Bilirubin Levels Research Articles

HUBUNGAN PEMBERIAN JENIS ASUPAN NUTRISI DAN PEMILIHAN TERAPI DENGAN LAMA PERAWATAN PADA BBLR DENGAN IKTERUS NEONATORUM DI RSUD KANJURUHAN MALANG

Infants born weighing less than 2500 grams can be classified into the Low Birth Weight (LBW) category. This classification is not based on gestational age, which makes LBW infants particularly vulnerable because their bodies are not fully prepared to face the extrauterine environment. There are several impacts associated with LBW, one of which is the incidence of neonatal jaundice. This condition occurs especially in LBW infants, leading to longer hospital stays. During the treatment period, the reduction in serum bilirubin levels must be supported by adequate nutritional intake and appropriate therapy. Nutritional intake may include exclusive breastfeeding, predominant breastfeeding, or a combination of both, while therapies include phototherapy, exchange transfusion, and pharmacological treatments. Providing nutrition as early as possible can help reduce bilirubin levels more quickly. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between types of nutritional intake, therapy selection, and the length of stay in LBW infants with neonatal jaundice at Kanjuruhan Kepanjen Hospital, Malang Regency. The study used an observational analytic design with a cross-sectional approach and included 56 samples selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a form based on secondary data and analyzed using the Eta Test, with a correlation value of η = 0.438. The results indicate a moderate relationship between the type of nutritional intake and the length of stay in LBW infants with neonatal jaundice. This study also reported a significant difference in the average length of stay based on the type of nutritional intake, with an ANOVA test yielding a p-value of 0.004. This suggests a significant difference in the length of stay based on nutritional intake. These findings should be of particular concern to healthcare workers when providing nutritional care for LBW infants with neonatal jaundice. Keywords: LBW, neonatal jaundice, infant nutrition, therapy selection, hospitalization.

THE EFFECT OF MASSAGE ON SERUM BILIRUBIN LEVELS AND NEONATUS BODY WEIGHT WITH PHOTOTHERAPY

Approximately 25-50% of newborns experience physiological hyperbilirubinemia in the first week of life, 80% occur in premature babies and 60% in full-term babies. Hyperbilirubinemia can be toxic and dangerous, such as encephalopathy. At Ummi Hospital, Bogor, the number of babies born from January to April 2021 was 704, and 11.4% had hyperbilirubinemia and no baby massage intervention had been carried out. Massage for newborns with hyperbilirubinemia reduces bilirubin levels and increases the baby's weight. This study aims to find out whether massage can reduce serum bilirubin levels and increase the weight of hyperbilirubinemia babies who receive phototherapy. This research was conducted in the perinatology room at Ummi Hospital, Bogor, Indonesia with ethical permit no. 02/KEPK/X/2021. The research design used a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest with a control group design, with a sample of 40 hyperbilirubinemia babies. After analysis using the dependent t-test and independent t-test, the results of the study showed that there was no significant difference between body weight before the intervention and after the intervention with p > 0.05 in the intervention group (p=0.054) and the control group (p =0.286). There was a significant difference in bilirubin levels (p<0.05) before and after the intervention in both the intervention group and the control group (p=0.001). Conclusion: Phototherapy alone or combined with massage can reduce serum bilirubin levels in babies. Adding massage to provide comfort to the baby and other benefits.

Evaluation of acute and sub-chronic oral toxicities of Neoneaster in rats.

Jaundice is a condition caused by the elevation of bilirubin level in the blood. Due to the neurological and neurodevelopmental sequalae of jaundice in newborns, the high cost of the treatment, and the side effects of the currently used therapies, novel therapeutically approaches are needed. Purgative manna (Shir-e-Khesht) has been used in Persian traditional medicine to reduce serum bilirubin levels of neonates. Neoneaster® is a natural health product formulated by a unique method from the manna of Cotoneaster nummularius Fisch. & C.A.Mey. for treating neonatal jaundice and managing constipation. The main component of Neoneaster®, mannitol, is an osmotic laxative which could increase intestinal transit and reduce the re-absorption of bilirubin in the enterohepatic cycle. We conducted this study to investigate acute and sub-chronic oral toxicities of Neoneaster in Wistar rats. In the acute oral toxicity test, based on OECD 423 we administered Neoneaster to the Wistar rats at doses of 5, 50, 300, and 2000mg/kg(OECD, 2002). Toxicological effects, including mortality and behavioral changes, were recorded for 14 days and compared to the control group. We also carried out histopathological assessments of the tissues of liver, heart, kidney, and spleen after this period. To evaluate sub-chronic toxicity, while administering 2000mg/kg of Neoneaster daily to the Wistar rats, we recorded for changes in mortality and behavior for 45 days and compared these to the values of the control group. We also carried out biochemical, hematological, and histopathological assessments after this period. In both acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity tests, no mortalities, behavioral abnormalities, and histological signs of toxicity was observed in any of the administered doses in comparison to the control group. The percentage of weight gains in acute toxicity test and the weight gain in sub-chronic test were not significant (P>0/05). There were also no significant differences in hematological and biochemical markers (P>0/05). Based on our finding, Neoneaster can be classified as category 5 in the Globally Harmonized Chemical Classification and Labeling System (GHS) as its Lethal Dose 50 (LD50) is higher than 2000mg/kg. This study suggests that Neoneaster is safe and can be classified as category 5 in the GHS system.

Development of novel biliary metal stent with coil-spring structure and its application in vivo swine biliary stricture model.

As of date, endoscopic biliary stenting with plastic stent (PS) and self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) have been widely used for the palliation of biliary tract strictures. However, these two stents have several limitations regarding the management of biliary strictures caused by intrahepatic and hilar cholangiocarcinoma. PS has short patency and also risks bile duct injury and bowel perforation. SEMS is difficult to revise when occluded by tumor overgrowth. To compensate for such shortcomings, we developed a novel biliary metal stent with coil-spring structure. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of the novel stent in a swine model. The biliary stricture model was prepared in six mini-pigs using endobiliary radiofrequency ablation. Conventional PS (n=2) and novel stents (n=4) were deployed endoscopically. Technical success was defined as successful stent placement and clinical success was defined as >50% reduction of serum bilirubin level. Adverse events, stent migration, and endoscopic removability for one month after stenting were also assessed. The biliary stricture was successfully created in all animals. The technical success rate was 100 %, and the clinical success rate was 50% in the PS group and 75% in the novel stent group. In the novel stent group, the median pre- and post-treatment serum bilirubin levels were 3.94 and 0.3 mg/dL. Stent migration occurred in two pigs and two stents were removed by endoscopy. There was no stent-related mortality. The newly designed biliary metal stent was feasible and effective in a swine biliary stricture model. Further studies are needed to verify the usefulness of the novel stent in the management of biliary strictures.

Ameliorative Effect of Marine Macroalgae on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Fibrosis and Associated Complications in Rats

Liver fibrosis is one of the serious health concern around the globe. Persistent exposure to drugs, toxicants, and pathogens may induce liver fibrosis. Marine macroalgae are globally consumed because of nutritive and medicinal value. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective role of two seaweeds Padina pavonia and Caulerpa racemosa in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Animal model of hepatic fibrosis was developed by injecting 40% CCl4 dissolved in olive oil [2 mL/kg, body weight (b.w.), i.p.] on alternate days for 30 days. Water extracts (WE) [200 mg/kg b.w., p.o.] of P. pavonia and C. racemosa were given to rats daily for 30 days. On day 31, rats were sacrificed after 12 h fasting. Serum was used for biochemical estimation. 10% neutral buffered formalin was used to preserve the liver sample for histopathological examination, while the other portion was used for the preparation of tissue homogenate to estimate antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde levels. WEs of both marine macro-algae significantly abrogate the elevated serum concentrations of aminotransferases (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferases), alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase along with a substantial (p<0.05) reduction in serum bilirubin levels. They also showed positive effects on oxidative stress, evident by improvement in reduced glutathione, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities and down regulation of lipid peroxidation level, with stabilizing the destructive cellular morphology of liver induced by repeated CCl4 injection. Both algal extracts also improved kidney function (urea and creatinine) along with lipid metabolism (triglycerides and cholesterol). Water extract of C. racemosa has shown great potential in attenuating liver fibrosis induced by CCl4.

Intravenous Fluid Supplementation for Preterm Infants With Hyperbilirubinemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most frequently occurring problems in the neonatal period, and phototherapy has remained the primary treatment of choice. Fluid supplementation has been proposed to reduce serum bilirubin levels. To assess the risks and benefits of fluid supplementation compared with standard fluid management in preterm infants with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia under conventional phototherapy. A retrospective cohort study of preterm infants (gestational ages ≥28 to ≤32 weeks) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at the Maternity and Children Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017, and required the initiation of phototherapy in the first week of life. One hundred and fifteen infants were included; 51 received fluid supplementation, and 64 received standard fluid management. There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics between groups. The infants who received fluid supplementation had a significantly larger decline in the total serum bilirubin level per day and a shorter phototherapy duration ( P < .01). There were no significant differences in weight ( P = .14), or sodium ( P = .79) change per day or the need for exchange transfusion between groups. The prematurity-related inhospital morbidities were similar between groups. Fluid supplementation in preterm infants receiving conventional phototherapy resulted in a faster decline in the bilirubin level and a shorter duration of phototherapy, without increasing prematurity-related morbidities. Future randomized controlled trials to assess the benefits and risks of fluid supplementation during conventional phototherapy in preterm infants are needed.

Retrospective analysis of the efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in palliation of obstructive jaundice in patients with carcinoma gall bladder: Experience from tertiary care center in Northern India

Background: Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD) is a minimally invasive procedure to palliate the biliary obstruction caused by unresectable malignancy. Aims and Objective: To analyze the outcome of PTBD in patients of unresectable gall bladder cancer presenting with obstructive jaundice in terms of reduction in serum bilirubin levels, symptomatic improvement, and overall survival (OS) at 4 weeks and 12 weeks following the procedure. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, PTBD was attempted on 30 patients diagnosed with inoperable gall bladder cancer. Various patient and procedure-related variables were analyzed and recorded both pre and post-PTBD. Outcome data on OS was collected at 4 weeks and 12 weeks. Results: Technical success was achieved in 29 (99.66%) patients. The mean fall in the serum bilirubin at the 7th post-procedural day was 41.5% after the successful PTBD. The most common complication in our study was cholangitis noted in six (21%) patients. OS at 4 weeks and 12 weeks was 79% and 41%, respectively. Conclusion: Younger age and good performance status favored better survival rate in our study.

Effect of Early Supplemental Formula Intervention on Body Weight and Hyperbilirubinemia in Neonates During 72 h After Birth.

Background: The full breastfeeding may lead to insufficient milk intake of newborns and increase the rate of body weight loss (BWL). Severe BWL was generally believed as a cause of significant hyperbilirubinemia in newborn babies. The study aimed to investigate the effect if early supplemental feeding in newborns with birth weight loss at the first 3 days after birth could decrease the rate of hyperbilirubinemia 72 h of birth.Methods: A total of 395 neonates with gestational age >37 weeks and birth body weight >2500g were prospectively collected between 2016 and 2018. We analyzed 280 neonates with BWL rate reaching the predictive value (4.5%, 7.5%, and 8% on the first, second, third day after birth, respectively) for subsequent hyperbilirubinemia after 72 hours after birth. The enrolled cases were divided into four subgroups as interventional consecutive milk supplement for 0, 1, 2, and 3 days after birth for further analysisResults: For newborns with BWL reaching the predictive value on the first day after birth, the serum bilirubin levels were lower in the experimental group than those in the non-involved control group (p < 0.05). For newborns with three consecutive days of interventional milk supplementation, the serum bilirubin levels at the 72 h after birth showed the lowest levels compared with the other sub-groups with two consecutive days and one consecutive day of interventional milk supplementation (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significantly decreasing trend in the consecutive days of interventional milk supplementation (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Newborns with BWL over 4.5% on the first day after birth receiving early intervention milk supplementation could significantly reduce serum bilirubin levels at the72 h after birth. The more days of consecutive milk supplementation after birth may lead to the lower the 72 h serum bilirubin levels. It is recommended to early and consecutive milk supplementation after birth to be an effective way in reducing serum bilirubin levels.

Pattern of serum bilirubin changes following double volume exchange blood transfusion in neonates at a tertiary health facility in Nigeria.

Introductionexchange blood transfusion (EBT) is a form of massive transfusion useful in rapidly reducing serum bilirubin levels, but serum bilirubin levels frequently rebound within hours of completing the procedure, due to equilibration of extravascular bilirubin as well as on-going hemolysis. The study was carried out to determine the pattern of reduction in serum bilirubin levels following EBT among neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia, as well as the factors contributing to this pattern, so as to establish evidence-based expectations following EBT.Methodsa retrospective descriptive study covering a two-year period in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Details of the EBT procedures, including serial serum bilirubin levels, were obtained from the hospital records of all newborn babies who had double volume EBT done for severe hyperbilirubinaemia during the study period. Data was analyzed using the statistical software SPSS version 21.0.Resultsthe mean total serum bilirubin (TSB) before EBT in the 36 babies was 17.9 ± 6.3 mg/dl. The mean percentage decrease in TSB immediately following EBT was 44.3 ± 10.2%. Six hours after EBT, TSB levels had increased from the immediate post-EBT values by an average of 57.5 ± 32.2%. Twenty-four hours after the procedure, TSB values in most (87.1%) cases were still higher than the immediate post-EBT values, but lower than the pre-EBT values. Post-EBT anemia was recorded among 33.3% of the babies.ConclusionEBT is effective in rapidly reducing serum bilirubin levels and preventing acute bilirubin encephalopathy in neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia, despite the rebound increase that occurs in TSB values after the procedure.

The effect of herbal medicine on neonatal jaundice: a systematic review

Background Herbal remedies have been implicated as adjunctive therapies in the treatment of neonatal jaundice over the years. The aim of this review was to investigate the therapeutic effects of herbal medicines on neonatal jaundice. Materials and Methods In this systematic review, a search process was performed in online databases of Scopus, Medline, Web of Science and Cochrane Library based on PRISMA guidelines. Components for searching were “neonatal jaundice” and “herbal medicine”. Relevant articles with language English published between January 1900 and October 2020 were extracted. The quality of the articles was assessed by the CONSORT checklist. Results Finally, according to including criteria, 9 studies with a total of 1323 neonates were selected. The herbal remedies used by researchers for treatment of neonatal jaundice included bilinester drop, alhagi pseudoalhagi, and zizyphus jujuba were used in 8 of 9 studies. In 5 of these 8 studies bilineaster significantly reduced serum bilirubin levels in infants compared to other groups. Conclusion: Based on the results, the herbal remedies (especially bilineaster) are probability effective as adjuvant therapies along with standard therapies in treatment of neonatal jaundice. These can reducing bilirubin level – hospitalization days and re hospitalization.

Effectiveness of position change among infants during phototherapy in management of hyperbilirubinemia in late preterm and term neonate

Neonatal jaundice is the yellowish staining of the white part of the eyes and skin in an infant because of high bilirubin levels. Untimely children have a lot higher occurrence of neonatal jaundice requiring remedial mediation than term infant. The present study aims to assess the effectiveness of position change among infants during phototherapy in the management of hyperbilirubinemia in late preterm and term neonate. A quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design with non-randomized control research design was used to conduct the study in Thiruvallur District Head Quarter Government Hospital. Thirty samples were selected by using a convenience sampling technique and were grouped into an experimental and control group; each consist of 15 samples. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding demographic variables and variables related to clinical proforma. Bilirubin level was monitored and recorded in the hyperbilirubinemia chart for both the groups. The neonates in the experimental group were subjected to a position change for every 2 hrs and the neonates in the control group were given regular care. The study results show that position change among infants during phototherapy was found to be effective in the reduction of serum bilirubin level considerably among infants in the experimental group than the infants in the control group. At the level of p&lt;0.001. This indicates that position change is effective in reducing the bilirubin level and have an impact on the early recovery of the neonates.

"Fenofibrate as an adjuvant to phototherapy in pathological unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in neonates: a randomized control trial."

Despite widespread phototherapy usage, many new-born infants remain in need of other invasive lines of therapy, such as intravenous immunoglobulins and exchange transfusions. Assessment of the efficacy and the safety of adding fenofibrate to phototherapy for the treatment of pathological jaundice in full-term infants. We conducted a double blinded randomized control study on 180 full-term infants with pathological unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia admitted to the NICU at Mansoura University Children's Hospital. They were randomly assigned to receive either oral fenofibrate 10 mg/kg/day for 1 day or 2 days or placebo in addition to phototherapy. The primary outcome was total serum bilirubin values after 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h from intervention. Secondary outcomes were total duration of treatment, need for exchange transfusions and intravenous immunoglobulin, exclusive breast-feeding on discharge, and adverse effects of fenofibrate. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04418180). A total of 180 full-term infants were included, 60 in each group. Infants in group I and II showed significant reduction of bilirubin levels at 36, 48, and 72 h from intervention compared to group III, respectively. Fenofibrate administration was associated with significantly shorter duration of phototherapy, shorter hospital stay, and higher frequency of exclusive breast-feeding compared to phototherapy alone. Fenofibrate as an adjuvant to phototherapy in term neonate with pathological jaundice is well tolerated and associated with significant reduction of serum bilirubin levels, a shorter duration of phototherapy, shorter hospital stay and higher frequency of exclusive breast-feeding, without significant adverse effects in either the single or double dosage.

Effect of Zinc on Hyperbilirubinemia of Newborns, a Randomized Double Blinded Clinical Trial.

Background: Jaundice is one of the most common causes of hospitalization in newborn infants. Zinc may have a possible role as a cofactor of enzymes in the metabolism of bilirubin and can prevent red blood cell destruction as an antioxidant agent. The present study aims to investigate the effect of zinc in the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Material&Methods: In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 112 healthy newborns with idiopathic neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were divided into two groups receiving zinc and placebo. The case and control group received 10mg of zinc and placebo daily. The total bilirubin levels in the second, third, fourth and fifth day and duration of hospitalization and phototherapy were compared. Results: The mean total bilirubin value in the second to fifth days in the zinc group were 11.95±2.35, 9.49±1.79, 8.54±1.63 and 8.64±0.96 respectively, and in the placebo group were 12.95±2.73, 9.88±2.35, 9.5±2.9 and 10.16±0.86 respectively and there was no significant difference between two groups. The duration of phototherapy and hospitalization in the zinc and placebo groups did not show any significant difference. Conclusion: We did not find a significant reduction in serum bilirubin levels nor the duration of hospitalization in neonates receiving zinc sulfate compared to control group.

The Role of Oral Phenobarbital Therapy in the Management of Neonates with Prolonged Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia

Background: Prolonged jaundice is a type of neonatal jaundice, which occurs in infants with high bilirubin levels (&gt;10 mg/dl) persisting beyond day 14 of life in term neonates, and beyond day 21 in preterm neonates. Prolonged jaundice may be caused by predominantly conjugated or unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Distinguishing between these types of jaundice helps to determine the risk for pathological causes of prolonged jaundice.&#x0D; Phenobarbital has been used to treat neonatal jaundice since the 1960s. Numerous clinical trials have shown that both administration of phenobarbital to pregnant mothers before delivery and phenobarbital administration to neonates after delivery limit the severity of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, reduce the peak serum total bilirubin concentrations caused by physiologic jaundice by 50%, and the need for exchange transfusion.&#x0D; Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of phenobarbital in reducing the total serum bilirubin(TSB) in neonates with prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. &#x0D; Methods: This is a prospective clinical trial study that was performed in Karbala teaching hospital for children from 18th of December 2017 to the end of December 2018. A total of 101 neonate with prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia were included in this study. All neonates who included in this study received phenobarbital tablet (5 mg /kg/day) twice a day for 10 days and some of them need phototherapy according to American Academy Of Pediatrics Guidelines for phototherapy,&#x0D; Results: There was a highly statistically significant decrease in TSB for the patients who were treated with phenobarbital compared to the baseline level, mean baseline TSB 14.57± 2.31 mg/dl versus TSB after phenobarbital 6.79±1.62 mg/dl (P value &lt;0.001). There was a highly statistically significant decrease in TSB for the patients who were treated with phototherapy in addition to phenobarbital compared to the baseline level, mean baseline TSB 19.94±1.36 mg/dl versus TSB after phototherapy and phenobarbital 6.33±1.37 mg/dl (P value &lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusions: &#x0D; &#x0D; Oral phenobarbital supplementation in the neonates with prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia can significantly accelerate reduction in serum bilirubin levels.&#x0D; Phenobarbital was safe, tolerable and no obvious adverse effects had been reported.&#x0D; No need for cessation of breast feeding in cases of presumed breast milk jaundice.&#x0D;

The Effect of Purgative Manna and Clofibrate on Neonatal Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia

Abstract- This study was conducted to determine the effect of purgative Manna and clofibrate on unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia of term neonates. In this randomized clinical trial study, sixty neonates suffering from unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia were evaluated. The neonates were divided into three groups using balanced block randomization. Group A (control group-received only phototherapy), group B (intervention group-received purgative Manna and phototherapy) and group C (intervention group-received clofibrate and phototherapy). After the intervention, the amount of serum bilirubin reduction was compared between groups. There was no significant difference among group A, B, and C in terms of serum bilirubin reduction in 24, 48 and 72 hours after starting the intervention (P&gt;0.05). The hospital stays in the control group was significantly longer than the intervention groups (P&lt;0.05). No side effects were observed related to using purgative Mienna and clofibrate. The present study showed that prescribing of purgative Manna and clofibrate has no effect on reduction of serum bilirubin level in term neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Thus, it seems that the administration of these drugs is not necessary. Further studies in this regard are recommended.

Artificial Liver Support System Improves Short-Term Outcomes of Patients with HBV-Associated Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: A Propensity Score Analysis.

Background Hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ALCF) is a complicated syndrome with extremely high short-term mortality. The artificial liver support system (ALSS) may improve the liver function for patients with HBV-ACLF, but the data on its short-term outcomes are insufficient in China. Methods We recruited HBV-ACLF patients in this nationwide, multicenter, retrospective study. Patients with HBV-ACLF were diagnosed by the COSSH-ACLF criteria. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to generate compared pairs. The short-term (28/90 days) survival rates between the standard medical therapy (SMT) group and ALSS group were calculated using a Kaplan–Meier graph. Result In total, 790 patients with HBV-ACLF were included in this retrospective study; 412 patients received SMT only (SMT group), and 378 patients received SMT and ALSS treatment (ALSS group). PSM generated 310 pairs and eliminated the baseline differences between the two groups (p > 0.05 for all baseline variables). The probabilities of survival on day 28 were 65.2% (205/310) in the ALSS group and 59.0% (185/310) in the SMT group; on day 90, they were 51.0% (163/310) and 42.3% (136/310). The short-term (28/90 days) survival rates of the ALSS group were significantly higher than those of the SMT group (p=0.0452 and p=0.0187, respectively). Compared to receiving SMT alone, treatment with ALSS was associated with a significant reduction in serum bilirubin levels and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores at day 7 and day 28. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older age, high total bilirubin (T-Bil), low albumin, high ALT, high MELD scores, and high COSSH-ACLF grade were independent baseline factors associated with poor prognosis. Conclusions This retrospective study found that compared to SMT, the ALSS improved the short-term (28/90 days) survival rates and laboratory parameters in HBV-ACLF patients. The ALSS had a better therapeutic effect than SMT for patients with HBV-ACLF in China.

Assement Efficacy and Complication of the Distance between Phototherapy Lamps and Neonate’s Body Level on Serum Bilirubin Decrease and Phototherapy Complications in Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

Background: Jaundice is one of the most leading causes of neonate hospitalization (51.8%) during the first four weeks of life, and phototherapy is one of the most common and safest methods for the treatment of jaundice. Different results have been obtained from the studies conducted on the investigation of factors affecting increased phototherapy effect on the reduction of neonatal jaundice. However, there still exist many questions concerning the methods that maximize the effect of phototherapy.The current research aimed to determine the effect of the distance between phototherapy lamps and neonate's body on the reduction of serum bilirubin and phototherapy complications in the neonates with physiologic jaundice.Methods: The study was carried out on 60 newborns with jaundice. The neonates in the intervention group were put under phototherapy within a distance of 20 cm, and the ones in the control group underwent phototherapy within a distance of 40 cm. Daily bilirubin was measured at times 0, 12, and 24, and the neonates were examined in terms of serum bilirubin reduction and phototherapy complications.Results: The obtained results revealed that phototherapy within the distance of 20 cm causes more reduction in the total bilirubin 12 and 24 hours after phototherapy. However, there was no significant difference between bilirubin 48 hours after phototherapy and phototherapy duration and the complications between the two groups.Conclusion: Based on the results, the method of phototherapy distance reduction could be used as a safe and effective way for the quicker reduction of serum bilirubin level, prevention of hyperbilirubinemia complications and complications of blood transfusion in neonates with physiologic jaundice.

Comparative outcome of overhead and total body phototherapy for treatment of severe neonatal jaundice in Nigeria

ABSTRACTBackground: In Nigeria, neonatal jaundice is commonly treated by overhead phototherapy with neonates lying supine, often with effective exposure of less than one half of the body surface. Total body exposure in phototherapy has been in use for less than 2 years in Nigeria, but is available in only five neonatal centres.Aim: To compare the effectiveness of total body exposure (TBPE) with the conventional partial exposure (COPT) for treatment of hyperbilirubinaemia.Methods: Eleven datasets from 10 neonatal units across Nigeria were retrieved. They included neonates with severe hyperbilirubinaemia treated with TBPE using the Firefly® device (MTTS Asia) as a test group. The remainder of the patients, the controls, were treated with COPT. Any requirement for exchange blood transfusion (EBT) in either group was documented. Total serum bilirubin (TSB) >213.8 μmol/L (12.5 mg/dL) was treated as severe hyperbilirubinaemia. The efficiency of the intervention was determined according to the time taken for a severe case to be downgraded to mild at ≤213.8 μmol/L.Results: A total of 486 patients were studied, 343 controls and 143 cases. Mean (SD) postnatal age was 6 days (0.7) for cases and 5 (0.9) for controls, for gestational age (GA) in completed weeks was 36 (0.5) for cases and 37 (0.7) for controls and for birthweight was 2.7 kg (0.25) for cases and 2.7 (0.22) for controls. Mean (SD) pre-intervention TSB was 299.3 (35.7) μmol/L for cases and 327.3 (13.9) for controls. Severity downgrade day was Day 2 (0.4) for cases and Day 5 (1.1) for controls. Overall relative EBT rate was 6% for cases and 55% for controls (p= 0.0001), and early preterm relative EBT rate was 0% for cases and 68% for controls (p < 0.01).Conclusion: TBPE was quicker and safer for reduction of hyperbilirubinaemia and patients rarely required EBT. TBPE is recommended for rapid reduction of serum bilirubin levels and the reduction of treatment costs, morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries.Abbreviations: EBT, exchange blood transfusion; TBPE, total body exposure technique; COPT, conventional partial exposure; TSB, total serum bilirubin; SB, serum bilirubin; NNJ, neonatal jaundice; SCNU, special care neonatal unit; LMIC, low- and middle-income countries; HIC, high-income countries; LED, light-emitting diode

Light Emitting Diode (LED) Phototherapy versus Conventional Phototherapy in Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia: A Single Blinded Randomized Control Trial from Coastal India.

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a common problem with potentiality to cause irreversible brain damage. Reduction of serum bilirubin level is essential to minimize such damage. Compact fluorescent tubes, halogen bulbs, fiber optic blankets, and LEDs are commonly used light sources for phototherapy with varying efficacies. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of LED versus conventional phototherapy on (a) rate of reduction in total serum bilirubin levels, (b) effect on urinary lumirubin excretion, and (c) comparing side effects of phototherapies among neonates with hyperbilirubinemia. In this randomized control trial, 166 neonates ≥ 35 weeks of age requiring phototherapy were recruited and further divided into 2 groups [LED (83) and conventional (83)] by using computer generated random numbers. Serial total serum bilirubin levels and random urinary lumirubin levels were collected and side effects of phototherapy were noted. Rate of fall in total serum bilirubin levels (TSB, μmol/L/hour) and random urinary lumirubin levels were computed. Data were collected using a pretested proforma. Analysis was done with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.5. Independent sample “t” test and Chi-square tests were used with p value of <0.05 being significant. Significant difference was documented in mean rate of decrease of TSB (μmol/L/hour) in LED group (5.3 ± 2.91) when compared to conventional group (3.76 ± 2.39) (p <0.001). A significant increase in mean random urinary lumirubin levels (arbitrary units) was observed in LED group (129.01 ± 33.18) when compared to conventional group (114.44 ± 44.84) (p = 0.021). Side effects were minimal and comparable in both groups. This study concludes the rates of decrease in total serum bilirubin levels and increase in urinary lumirubin levels were significant with LED when compared with conventional phototherapy, implying LED to be more efficacious.

A study on serum bilirubin levels in coronary artery disease patients

Background: The protective effect of bilirubin relates to the antioxidant property of bilirubin, which prevents lipid oxidation, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and inhibits free radical-induced dam-ages. Lower serum bilirubin level has been proven to be associated with endothelium and microvascular malfunction. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between serum bilirubin levels and coronary artery disease in comparison with controls without coronary artery disease.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of a one year in our medical college hospital. Patients with evidence of coronary artery disease for not more than 10 years of duration confirmed by ECG, ECHO and other previous case records were taken as cases. Controls were selected matched with age, gender and other co-morbid conditions. Total of 200 subjects were included in the study with 100 cases and 100 controls. General and systemic examination was conducted on all study subjects including laboratory investigations like complete blood count, renal function test, lipid profile, viral markers such as HBsAG, HCVIgM and liver function test which includes total bilirubin, direct and indirect, liver enzymes, albumin and globulin levels. A 12 lead ECG and a transthoracic echocardiogram was performed for all patients.Results: The various liver function test parameters were compared between the cases and controls it was found that the serum bilirubin levels which includes total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin was found to be lower among the case group compared to the control group and this difference was found to be statistically significant (p &lt;0.05). A perfect linear correlation between the ejection fraction and serum bilirubin levels, as the ejection fraction decreases the serum bilirubin levels was also decreasing.Conclusions: This study showed a significant association between the reduced serum bilirubin levels and the occurrence of CAD; therefore, bilirubin level can serve as a predictive factor, together with other influential factors for identifying a person at risk of developing coronary artery disease.