Prebiotics for the management of hyperbilirubinemia in preterm neonates.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated if prebiotics have benefits for the management of hyperbilirubinemia in preterm neonates.

METHODS

Preterm neonates were entered into the study when enteral feeding volume met 30 mL/kg/day. They randomly received a mixture of short-chain galacto-oligosacarids/long-chain fructo-oligosacarids or distilled water (placebo) for 1 week. Total serum bilirubin level was measured by transcutaneous bilirubinometry. Stool frequency and meeting full enteral feeding during the study period were considered as secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Twenty-five neonates in each group completed the trial. Bilirubin level was decreased with the prebiotic (-1.3 ±  1.8 mg/dL, p = 0.004), but not placebo (-0.1 ± 3.3 mg/dL, p = 0.416). Peak bilirubin level was lower with the prebiotic than placebo (8.3 ± 1.7 versus 10.1 ± 2.2 mg/dL, p = 0.003). Stool frequency was increased with the prebiotic (0.7 ± 1.9 defecation/day, p = 0.014), but not with placebo (0.6 ±  1.5 defecation/day, p = 0.133). Average stool frequency (2.4 ±  0.4 versus 1.9 ± 0.5 defecation/day, p = 0.003) and frequently of meeting full enteral feeding (60% versus 16%, p = 0.002) were higher with the prebiotic than placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Prebiotic oligosaccharides increase stool frequency, improve feeding tolerance and reduce bilirubin level in preterm neonates and therefore can be efficacious for the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.