Abstract
Background:
Neonatal jaundice is a common neonatal disease that has adverse effects
on neonates, especially preterm neonates, when indirect bilirubin level is adequately high to pass
the blood-brain barrier, causing bilirubin encephalopathy or kernicterus.
Aim:
This study aimed to investigate the value of zinc (Zn) supplementation in preterm neonates
with jaundice and whether it will be beneficial.
Patients and Methods:
A prospective randomized clinical trial, with the identification number TCTR20200504007,
was conducted at Tanta University Hospital from July 2016 to March 2018 on
200 preterm neonates with jaundice. The studied neonates were divided into two groups: group 1,
which received Zn and phototherapy, and group 2, which received phototherapy only and did not
receive Zn. In group 1, 100 preterm neonates with jaundice received Zn as 0.6 mL (cm3) of zinc
origin/kg/day orally through the oro-nasogastric tube divided into two doses (every 12 h), which
was equal to 1.2 mg elemental zinc/kg/day orally for 10 days.
Results:
There was no significant difference in serum bilirubin level between the two groups on
the 2nd, 4th, and 6th days of admission, while the serum bilirubin level was significantly decreased
in group 1 compared with that in group 2 only on the 8th, 9th, and 10th days of admission. The p--
values were 0.045*, 0.027*, and 0.004*, respectively.
Conclusions::
Zn administration to preterm neonates with jaundice was found to be beneficial in decreasing
serum bilirubin level.
Recommendation:
Zn supplementation should be provided to preterm neonates with jaundice.