Comparing the Response to Pedilact in Term and Preterm Neonates under Phototherapy

Hyperbilirubinemia is a common neonatal problem that occurs in about 60% of term and 80% of preterm infants during the first week of life. The increase of intestinal enteropathic cycle by intestinal beta-glucuronidase is one of the main mechanisms in the exacerbation of jaundice. Despite the relative lack of bacterial flora in the intestines of neonates during the first week of life and considering the differences in intestinal bacteria in term and preterm neonates, the present study evaluated the therapeutic response to pedilact in two groups of neonates.

This clinical trial study was performed on 97 term and preterm neonates aged 2 to 15 days after obtaining the approval of the Ethics Committee and parental consent. Inclusion criteria included age 3-14 days, serum bilirubin 15-22mg/dl, exclusive breastfeeding, and no risk factor for hemolysis. In addition to phototherapy, all infants received 5 drops of pedilact daily. Phototherapy conditions were the same in both groups. Serum bilirubin checked daily. The variables of sex, gestational age, and daily bilirubin level were recorded and compared.

The minimum and the maximum gestational age of the neonates were 35 and 41 weeks, respectively. There was no difference between median, mean, and standard deviation of bilirubin reduction during hospitalization days between two groups (P= 0.451).

The results of this study indicate that the Micrococcus luteus SEHD031RS strain can be used as an effective microorganism in removing chromium from industrial wastewater or environmental bioremediation.