Abstract
Sixty-seven babies were utilized to (a) document the serum bilirubin lowering effect and safety of a phenobarbitone and nikethamide combination in neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia of non-hemolytic origin; (b) determine whether birthweight and/or SGOT, SGPT or SGGT activity on day one of life correlated with the maximum serum bilirubin level achieved; and (c) investigate the pattern of hepatic enzyme levels in serum under normal conditions and following drug induction. Results indicate a significantly lower serum bilirubin level in the treated group of babies. Birthweight and day one SGGT levels, and SGGT/birthweight ratio correlated well with the maximum serum bilirubin reached, the latter ratio being particularly useful in predicting the degree of hyperbilirubinaemia.
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Bartels, H., Fenner, A., van der Merwe, W. et al. Hepatic enzymes, their induction and usefulness in predicting maximal serum bilirubin levels in premature newborn infants. Eur J Pediatr 125, 97–102 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00489983
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00489983