agar and Infant--Premature--Diseases

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.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Agar; Bilirubin; Birth Weight; Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Hyperbilirubinemia; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Male

Therapeutic attitude in hyperbilirrubinemia is always worth because other infrequent complications but not for this, less important. Phototherapy innocuousness, largely demonstrated, fosters its profilactic use at beginning and not only for those babies with serum bilirrubin over 10 mg % in the first day of life. Previously we have reported positive results with agar oral administration without collateral effects. On this grounds we have planned the following experience in a homogenous group of L.B.W.: one group was fed with agar previously to each formula administration; other group received the same amount of agar but divided in only three administrations in 24 hours; the last group received continuous phototherapy for 96 hours with a white cold fluorescent light from a source of 8-Vita-lite lamp of 40 watts with a intensity of 500 foot candle and 30 lumens. All of these babies weighed less than 2.500 g. and were between 10 and 90 percentil of Lubschenko diagram. They were fed with the same formula and same time table with no infusions, rejecting all that presented any type of pathology. Obstetric conditions were basically identical. This population was randomly divided in four groups. 1) Control group with no profilaxis, but with identical bilirrubin andhematocrit determinations. 2) Group with continuous agar oral administration, 125 mg. before each of the seven formula feeding. 3) Group with discontinuous agar administration, 250 mg. before three of the seven formula feeding. 4) Group with continuous phototherapy for 96 hours. These is initial identification of the groups with statistic signification, and after that a quantitative and sequential evolution of bilirrubin is analized in each group.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Agar; Bilirubin; Body Weight; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Humans; Hyperbilirubinemia; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Phototherapy; Time Factors

An study on the effect of p.o. agar in neonatal bilirubin seric levels is reported. Two groups of healthy newborns, 33 terms and 22 pre-terms were studied after ingestion of agar and the results compared to those in a similar set of non-agar control groups. Agar ingestion decreased bilirubin levels in term newborns and increased fecal elimination of the pigment (p less than 0.001). p.o. agar had no effect on the levels of serum bilirubin in preterm newborns (p greater than 0.05).

Topics: Administration, Oral; Agar; Bilirubin; Feces; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Intestinal Absorption; Jaundice, Neonatal

Topics: Administration, Oral; Agar; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Jaundice, Neonatal; Male