[Investigation of Coptis chinensis on jaundice of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient neonates from Guigang, Guangxi province].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Coptis chinensis on jaundice of G6PD deficient neonates.

METHODS

122 G6PD deficient neonates with jaundice who were in People' s Hospital of Guigang of Guangxi province from January 1999 to October 2004 were divided into two groups: C. chinensis group (62 neonates with C. chinensis administration before jaundice' s appearance) and none C. chinensis group (60 neonates without C. chinensis administration before jaundice' s appearance). The initial time, duration of jaundice, hemoglobin and serum bilirubin level and the incidence of kernicterus were analyzed between the two groups.

RESULTS

The initial time of jaundice is significantly later and the duration of jaundice is markedly shorter in the neonates with C. chinensis than that without C. chinensis. Simultaneously, the level of hemoglobin is significantly increased, and there is a low tendency of serum total bilirubin and direct bilirubin level in C. chinensis group as compared to that in none C. chinensis group. Moreover, there is no kernicterus in C. chinensis group and no difference in the treating result out of hospital between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results do not support the view that C. chinensis could aggravate jaundice of G6PD deficient neonates.