Sn-protoporphyrin use in the management of hyperbilirubinemia in term newborns with direct Coombs-positive ABO incompatibility.

In two separate studies, in which two different treatment regimens of Sn-protoporphyrin were used, a total of 69 control and 53 treated infants were studied to determine whether this potent inhibitor of the enzyme, heme oxygenase, could ameliorate the severity of the hyperbilirubinemia which develops in term babies with direct Coombs-positive ABO incompatibility. The results indicate that Sn-protoporphyrin can, in appropriate doses, moderate the postnatal rate of increase of plasma bilirubin levels and diminish the intensity of hyperbilirubinemia in treated babies. In addition, a decreased use of phototherapy in Sn-protoporphyrin-treated infants was observed.