title: Role ofSaccharomyces boulardiiin Reduction of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Probiotics are known to reduce the severity of hyperbilirubinemia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was done to evaluate the effect of probiotic on neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in term neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 181 healthy term neonates after birth were divided into a control group (n=95) and a treatment group (n=86) randomly and treated with placebo and probiotic (Saccharomyces boulardii) respectively. A total of two doses were given orally in the first two consecutive days. The serum bilirubin levels were detected on day three of life. Babies were exclusively breastfed, clinical outcome was recorded. Comparison between groups was made by the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the quantitative variables. A p-value of <0.05 using a two-tailed test was taken as being of significance for all statistical tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On day 3, mean total serum bilirubin in control group among patient who has not developed clinical jaundice is 6.5mg% and in the treatment group is 5mg%. In patient with clinical jaundice, it is 13.6mg% in control group and 10.7mg% in the treatment group. The p-value was found to be <0.05 which is statistically significant. No obvious adverse reactions noted in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Probiotics lowered the serum bilirubin level of healthy neonate with jaundice safely and significantly without any adverse reaction.
authors.affiliation: Head of Department, Department of Pediatrics, Coimbatore Medical College Hospital , Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India .
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Suganthi
authors.affiliation: Paediatrician, Taluk Hospital , Pattambi, Kerala, India .
authors.forename: A Gokul
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Das
keywords: Enterohepatic circulation; Jaundice; Neonate; Phototherapy; Probiotics