Journal of North Khorasan

Background & Objectives: Jaundice is considered as a common clinical condition during. Prevention of severe hyperbilirubinemia is safer and easier than current therapies, like phototherapy or blood exchange. In some animal and human studies, zinc was found effective in reducing jaundice. In this study we evaluated the effect of oral zinc sulfate on serum bilirubin of newborns under 1800 gram.

Materials and Methods: This randomized, clinical trial was performed on preterm (<1800 gram) newborns borne within Bentolhoda hospital. Eligible preterm (<1800 gram) newborns aged 24±6 hours, were randomly allocated into two groups: group A (receiving zinc sulfate) and group B (placebo). They were screened by testing serum bilirubin at the end of the third and seventh day of age. Laboratory results and duration of phototherapy were comparison between two groups.

Results: Among 66 eligible newborns 32 were placed in group A and 34 in group B. The mean serum bilirubin in group A and B was defined as 7.7± 2 and 8.7± 2, in the third day (P = 0.053) and 6± 2 vs 7.6± 2 (P=0.012) in the seventh day, respectively and showed significant difference between two groups. Duration of phototherapy was recorded longer among placebo group (108 vs 84 hours)

Conclusion: The current study showed that prophylactic administration of 10 mg zinc sulfate in preterm babies may reduce serum bilirubin. Weight loss at the end of first week of life was less among newborns received zinc sulfate. Less phototherapy duration was reported in the zinc group in comparison with the placebo group. No acute adverse effects were reported in the zinc group.

Keywords:   Newborn, bilirubin, Zinc Sulfate, Phototherapy.