Effect of Synbiotic on the Treatment of Jaundice in Full Term Neonates: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

PurposeJaundice accounts for most hospital admissions in the neonatal period. Nowadays, in addition to phototherapy, other auxiliary methods are used to reduce jaundice and the length of hospitalization. This study aimed to investigate the effect of probiotics on the treatment of hyper-bilirubinemia in full-term neonates.MethodsIn this randomized clinical trial, 83 full-term neonates, who were admitted to the hospital to receive phototherapy in the first 6 months of 2015, were randomly divided into two groups: synbiotic (SG, n=40) and control (CG, n=43). Both groups received phototherapy but the SG also received 5 drops/day of synbiotics. Serum bilirubin, urine, stool, feeding frequency, and weight were measured daily until hospital discharge. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe mean total serum bilirubin in the SG was lower than that in the CG (9.38±2.37 and 11.17±2.60 mg/dL, respectively). The urine and stool frequency in the SG was significantly higher than that in the CG (p<0.05). The duration of hospitalization in the SG was shorter than that in the CG.ConclusionUse of synbiotics as an adjuvant therapy had a significant treatment effect on jaundice in full-term neonates. Further studies including larger samples with long follow-up periods are essential to confirm the benefits of routine use of synbiotics in neonatal patients with jaundice.

Effects of probiotics on stool frequency in term newborns

“…This was similar to study conducted by Bisceglia M et al, and Ahmadipour et al, which showed that neonates receiving probiotics showed greater frequency of stools compared to that of those in placebo. 7,8 In a meta-analysis done by Chen et al, and study done by Mohammad et al, it was observed that probiotic supplementation increases the frequency of stool versus placebo. 9,10…”

Effect of Addition of Probiotics to Standard Treatment on Neonatal Jaundice

“…19 A study conducted in Iran also showed that probiotics can reduce the serum total bilirubin levels when used as an adjunct to standard therapy. 20 A meta-analysis conducted by Chen Z et al provided evidence that the combination of routine treatment with probiotics including Bifidobacterium, S. boulardii, C. butyricum, probiotic oligosaccharides and B. subtilis had more efficacy in neonatal jaundice. Moreover, it was also helpful in reducing total bilirubin levels, time of jaundice fading, duration of phototherapy and hospitalization 21 .…”

Diagnosis and Treatment of Late Jaundice in Late Preterm and Term Newborns: An Integrative Literature Review / Diagnóstico E Tratamento Da Icterícia Tardia Em Recém-Nascidos Prematuros Tardios E a Termo: Uma Revisão Integrativa De Literatura

“…The use of probiotics and symbiotics is addressed by several authors, demonstrating the effectiveness of these microbiological preparations in reducing neonatal jaundice, avoiding the need for phototherapy or decreasing the time of exposure to it. According to Suganthi & Gokul Das (2016) and Ahmadipour et al (2019), these compounds are widely used in children to treat intestinal disorders, since their main effect on the human body is the stabilization of intestinal microflora; a better performing intestinal flora facilitates the passage of meconium, which is the main source of excretion of bilirubin 17,18 .…”