The Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Total Serum Bilirubin Reduction in Full-Term Neonates with Hyperbilirubinemia

Fabiola Vania Felicia, Pudji Andayani, Meriah Sembiring, Nurul Hidayah, Farida Heriyani

Abstract

Background and Aim: Oxidative stress and low antioxidant levels, such as vitamin E, may induce hemolysis, which increases bilirubin production, thus causing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of vita min E supplementation on total serum bilirubin (TSB) reduction in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Materials and Methods: This pretest–post-test control group clinical trial included 30 full-term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy. Neonates were divided into 3 groups: vitamin E at 15 IU/kg/d (n = 10), vitamin E at 25 IU/kg/d (n = 10), and a control group (n = 10). All the neonates underwent phototherapy for 2 days. Vitamin E was also administered for 2 days in the said supplementation groups. The serum bilirubin levels were measured before and after the intervention.

Results: The TSB reduction was more noticeable in the vitamin E groups (6.95 ± 3.02 mg/dL and 5.21 ± 2.52 mg/dL, in the 15 and 25 IU/kg/d groups, respectively) than in the control group (4.61 ± 2.93 mg/dL). No statistically significant difference was found in the mean TSB reduction (P = .178) and mean percentage of TSB reduction (P = .165) among the 3 groups.

Conclusions: The TSB reduction between the intervention and control groups was not significantly different. However, clinically, the mean of TSB reduction in vitamin E groups was more noticeable, showing a favourable effect of vitamin E supple mentation in TSB reduction.