Physiologic Jaundice: The Enterohepatic Circulation of Bilirubin

Abstract
To evaluate the role of the enterohepatic circulation of bilirubin in "physiologic" hyperbilirubinemia, nine full-term infants delivered by cesarean section were given a formula supplemented with agar for the first five days of life starting at the 20th hour. Agar stabilizes bilirubin in aqueous solution and prevents its bacterial conversion. Ten infants were given the same formula without agar.