Agar in the management of hyperbilirubinaemia in the premature baby.
Eighty low birthweight infants (1500 to 2500 g) were randomly assigned to a group given oral agar and a control group. The study was first performed in 24 agar-fed babies and 24 control babies. The treated infants received a daily total amount of 600 mg/kg of agar beginning at 12 hours of age, for 7 days. In the later stage of the trial, 16 agar-fed babies and 16 control babies were investigated. The total daily amount of agar was raised to 700 mg/kg, beginning at 6 hours of age for 7 days. No complications were observed with the administration of agar. Serum bilirubin levels were not significantly lower in the agar-fed infants. We conclude that agar supplemented feeding is not indicated in the management of hyperbilirubinaemia in low birthweight newborn infants.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000362:Agar / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D001724:Birth Weight; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006932:Hyperbilirubinemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male
D000362:Agar; D001663:Bilirubin