Relevance of the jaundice meter in determining significant bilirubin levels in term neonates at a tertiary hospital in Lagos State

Abstract

Background and Aim: Jaundice is the yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes or the visible manifestation as a result of elevated serum bilirubin. With spectroscopic tools now available, it is possible to assess the skin's condition by quantitative measures and to access information from deeper layers of skin not visible to the eye. The aim of this study was to determine the relevance of the jaundice meter in determining significant bilirubin levels in term neonates at a tertiary hospital in Lagos State using the Konica Minolta JM-103. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty consecutive neonates who presented at the neonatal unit of the hospital were recruited for the study after checking them with set inclusion and exclusion criteria. The transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TcB) readings of the neonates were taken on the forehead, sternum, and abdomen of the calm neonate in a supine position, and blood samples for total serum bilirubin (TSB) estimation were drawn from a peripheral vein within 10 min of TcB measurement. Pearson's correlation analysis with linear regression was done to test the relationship between TSB and TcB values as well as for TcB measurements taken at different sites. Results: The difference between the bilirubin values measured with TcB and TSB was low, with 104 neonates (69.3%) having a difference that was 12 mg/dl was 45.2% compared with 56.8% obtained by TcB. In the present study, bilirubin levels measured with the JM-103 show a good agreement with TSB levels in the study neonates. A comparison of the extent of neonatal jaundice in our study at the different body sites using the Kramer's chart showed that there were similar mean recordings for TcB and TSB, with mean values of 10.27 ± 2.90 and 10.58 ± 2.90 for involvement of the face/neck and 18.34 ± 1.61 and 18.43 ± 1.42 for hand/feet obtained by TSB and TcB, respectively. Conclusion: The excellent correlation of TcB with TSB obtained from this study even at levels of bilirubin that necessitates the initiation of phototherapy is encouraging. The JM-103 device thus appears relevant in determining significant bilirubinemia in black neonates.