Abstract
Objective: The availability of modern bilirubin meters that measure bilirubin concentration in dermal and subcutaneous tissues has made it possible to obtain serial, non-invasive (i.e., painless) TcB (transcutaneous bilirubin) measurements. However, concerns have been raised regarding the appropriateness of comparing these TcB values to serum bilirubin values. This study aims to find a correlation between transcutaneous bilirubin and total serum bilirubin. Methods: Prospective analytic study carried out in NICU of Govt. RDBP Jaipuria Hospital. Newborn babies up to the 10th postnatal day of life with visually found jaundice had been enrolled in the study. TcB was measured over mid-sternum with Dräger JM 105™ device. Simultaneous total serum bilirubin (TSB) measurements had been done. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman analysis had been done. ROC curves of mean TcB at different TSB level had been constructed. Results: In the study, 120 babies had been included. A significant correlation was founded between TcB and TSB measured values. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was 0.892 (p<0.001). The average error in evaluating hyperbilirubinemia with TcB compared to TSB was 0.101, with limits of agreement between −3.73 and +3.55. The AUOC at three TSB levels (>10 mg/dl, >12 mg/dl, and >15 mg/dl) was 0.860, 0.892, and 0.849. Conclusion: In our study, TcB measurements correlated well with TSB measurements and validated its use as a screening tool for the evaluation of jaundice in newborns.
Highlights
Transcutaneous bilirubin meter provides a noninvasive method for the estimating serum bilirubin using a handheld electronic device that measures the amount of bilirubin in the skin and subcutaneous tissues
The data demonstrated a strong correlation between TCB and Total serum bilirubin (TSB), and the sensitivity and specificity of Transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) for all the TSB cutoff values was high
We conclude that due to its simplicity and painlessness, serial cutaneous bilirubin measurements would be helpful in the following neonatal jaundice
Summary
The term jaundice was taken from the French word “Jaune,” meaning yellow. The term hyperbilirubinemia is being referred to as icterus which came from Greek literature. The clinical manifestation of hyperbilirubinemia is jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the skin that results from an increased concentration of bilirubin in the blood. Three methods are being used to estimate or measure directly the bilirubin levels in neonates: Visual assessment, transcutaneous measurement of bilirubin, and analysis of blood serum. Transcutaneous bilirubin meter provides a noninvasive method for the estimating serum bilirubin using a handheld electronic device that measures the amount of bilirubin in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurements and gestational age are used by the physician or nurse to assign risk of clinically significant hyperbilirubinemia. Total serum bilirubin (TSB) measurement requires drawing blood from the neonate and estimating risk of increasing hyperbilirubinemia by plotting the TSB measurement on an hour-specific nomogram [5]. Our concern was regarding the appropriateness of comparing these TcB values to serum bilirubin values
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
