The effect of clofibrate on neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in uncomplicated jaundice

Objective: Clofibrate has been used for several years as a hypolipidemic drug. Our aim was to study the effect of Clofibrate on neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in uncomplicated jaundice. Material & Methods. This clinical trial study has been conducted on 90 normal term neonates who were admitted for uncomplicated jaundice in 17(th)-Shahrivar Children's Hospital of Guilan University of Medical Sciences from September 2005 to January 2006. The data included: age, sex, total and direct serum bilirubin, weight and duration of hospitalization. All data were analyzed by using statistical methods. Findings: All 90 infants enrolled in our study had received phototherapy. The infants were divided into Clofibrate group (G1) consisting of 26 boys (57.8%) and 19 girls (42.2%) and Control group with 24 boys (53.3%) and 21 girls (46.7%) (G2). There were no statistically overt differences between the two groups regarding sex distribution, age, weight and total serum bilirubin level at admission. Mean values for total bilirubin of serum in Clofibrate group 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours after admission were significantly lower than those for Control group (P<0.001). The mean time needed for phototherapy in Clofibrate group (38.8) (20-48h) was significantly shorter than that in control group (68.7) (36-96h) (P<0.001). Conclusion: Clofibrate is effective and probably a safe drug for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia that can decrease the time needed for phototherapy and hospitalization, although further studies with a more precise and longer follow up is needed for proving its safety to be used routinely in the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.