Agar in the management of hyperbilirubinaemia in the premature baby

Abstract

80 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 on 24 agar fed babies and 24 control babies. The treated infants received a daily total dose of 600 mg/kg of agar, beginning at 12 hr 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 dose of agar was raised to 700 mg/kg, beginning at 6 hr 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. It was concluded that agar supplemented feeding is not indicated in the management of hyperbilirubinaemia, in low birthweight newborn infants.