Clinical efficacy of phenobarbital combined with ursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of neonatal patients with cholestasis.

Abstract

Background and study aims: The aim of this study was to explore and evaluate the clinical effect of phenobarbital combined with ursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of neonatal cholestasis.

Patients and methods: 100 infants were divided into two groups using the random number method, with 50 cases in each group. The PB group was given routine treatment and phenobarbital, and the combination group received the same treatment as the PB group and was additionally given ursodeoxycholic acid. Observe the liver function indicators (γ-glutaminyl transferase (γ-GGT), aspartate transferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)), serum bilirubin (the total bilirubin (TBIL), and direct bilirubin (DBIL)), total effective rate and adverse reactions of the children.

Results: After treatment, the levels of γ-GGT, AST, ALT DBIL, and TBIL in both groups of children were reduced (P < 0.01). the jaundice index of children in the combination group was clearly reduced (P < 0.05) and was obviously lower than that of the PB group (P < 0.05). Moreover, children in the combination group had more daily defecation times than the PB group, and the time to first discharge and yellowing of meconium was shorter than that in the PB group (P < 0. 05). The total effective rate of treatment in the combination group was obviously higher than that in the PB group (94.00 % VS. 78.00 %, P < 0.05), and the average time for complete resolution of jaundice also was shorter than that in the PB group (P < 0.05). A few children develop diarrhea, which occasionally causes skin itching, rash, and other adverse reactions, but most of them are mild and will not affect the treatment effect or prognosis.

Conclusion: Phenobarbital combined with ursodeoxycholic acid can improve the liver function of children to a greater extent in the treatment of neonatal cholestasis. It can also reduce serum bilirubin concentration, has good clinical efficacy, does not cause serious adverse reactions, and has good safety.