Effect of albumin administration prior to exchange transfusion in term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia — A randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Indian pediatrics 2010-03, Vol.47 (3), p.241-244
• Main Authors: Shahian, Mozhgan, Moslehi, Mohammad Ashkan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Albumins - administration & dosage; Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood - methods; Female; Humans; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal - blood; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal - therapy; Infant, Newborn; Male; Maternal and Child Health; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Pediatric Surgery; Pediatrics; Phototherapy - methods; Research Paper
• ISSN: 0019-6061; 0974-7559
• DOI: 10.1007/s13312-010-0046-x

Objective To determine the role of intravenous administration of human albumin prior to blood exchange in term neonates for reduction of total serum bilirubin (TSB). Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Neonatal Unit of Nemazee Hospital, affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, southern Iran. Patients Fifty out-born term neonates with gestation age >37 weeks, birth weight >2500 g, otherwise healthy with TSB ≥25 mg/dL requiring blood exchange due to intensive phototherapy failure. Intervention Intervention group ( n =25) received intravenous human albumin 20% (1 g/kg) one hour before exchange while the control group ( n =25) underwent a blood exchange. Outcome Measures TSB level at 6 and 12 hours postexchange, total duration of phototherapy, need for a second exchange transfusion and adverse effects. Results The mean TSB level in albumin-treated group was significantly lower than that in the control group at 6 and 12 hours post-exchange ( P