EFFECT OF BACILLUS CLAUSII IN COMBINATION WITH PHOTOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF NEONATAL HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v22i1.1909Keywords:
Bacillus clausii, Bilirubin, Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal Jaundice, Phototherapy, ProbioticsAbstract
Background: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is common in the first week of life, and probiotics like Bacillus clausii are gaining popularity in bilirubin clearance by modulating gut flora, and shown in previous studies to be safe and well-tolerated in newborns. The aim of this study was to compare the distribution of serum bilirubin levels between neonates receiving phototherapy alone and those receiving phototherapy plus Bacillus clausii. Methods: This quasi-experimental study using alternate allocation was conducted over six months from 1st Jan to 30th Jun 2025 in the Paediatric Department of PAF Hospital Mushaf, Sargodha. Eighty neonates were assigned to receive either phototherapy with Bacillus clausii (Group A) or phototherapy alone (Group B). Serum bilirubin levels were measured twice daily and finally evaluated on day four of treatment and compared between the groups. Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between both treatment groups. Post-therapy serum bilirubin levels were significantly lower in the combined therapy group ‘A’ compared to the monotherapy group ‘B’ [median 4.0 (IQR 3.25–6.0) versus. 6.0 (IQR 4.0–9.0); p<0.001]. The effect size indicated a moderate treatment effect (r=0.40), favouring the combined therapy approach. Conclusion: Combining Bacillus clausii with phototherapy appears to be a safe and effective approach for managing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. This combination not only accelerates bilirubin clearance but may also help reduce the duration of phototherapy.
Pak J Physiol 2026;22(1):33–6, DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v22i1.1909
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