Effect of Common Chicory Essence and Phototherapy on Serum Bilirubin Levels in Preterm Infants Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: An in vitro Study

Jaundice is a common neonatal disorder that occurs in most term and preterm infants. Chicory or dandelion flower has long been used in the treatment of jaundice. This study aimed to investigate the effect of common chicory essence and phototherapy on serum bilirubin levels in preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Valiasr Hospital in Birjand, Iran. This in vitro study was conducted on preterm infants with gestational age of less than 37 weeks and weight less than 2500 g. Bilirubin levels in blood samples from 21 infants were measured before and after the addition of chicory essence or distilled water. Then, phototherapy was performed, and bilirubin levels were measured again. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 21). The mean weight of infants was 1542.8 ± 453.5 g. In the chicory essence group, the mean total serum bilirubin was 5.29 ± 1.55 and 0.18 ± 0.07 mg/dL before and after the intervention, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean indirect serum bilirubin was 4.96 ± 1.59 and 0.18 ± 0.07 mg/dL before and after the intervention, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean changes in total bilirubin in the distilled water and chicory groups were 5.15 ± 1.70 and 5.43 ± 1.99 mg/dL, respectively (P = 0.62). The results showed that both distilled water and chicory essence decreased direct and total serum bilirubin concentrations. The indirect bilirubin changes were not significant, and there was no difference in the total bilirubin changes between the two groups. Totally, the chicory essence had no effect on reducing the serum bilirubin level in preterm infants.