Accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubinometry compare to serum microbilirubin measurement in Naresuan University Hospital

Abstract

Background : Hyperbilirubinemia is a common problem in the neonatal period. The gold standard for the diagnosis of hyperbilirubinemia is not only time consuming but also a painful intervention to the infant.

Objective : To determine the accuracy of trancutaneous biliribinometer and to determine an hour-specific nomogram. Material and

Method : Transcutaneous bilirubin was performed on 195 healthy term neonates of gestational age greater than 37 weeks and birth weight greater than 2,500 grams using a transcutaneous bilirubinometer (Minolta, JM-103). The values of bilirubin obtained by 2 different methods were compared: transcutaneous bilirubinometer and direct spectrophotometry, at Naresuan University Hospital. We recorded transcutaneous bilirubin at the age of 8 to 96 hours in an hour-specific nomogram.

Design : Cross section prospective descriptive study

Setting : Naresuan University Hospital, Phitsanulok.

Result : One hundred and ninety-five neonates were recruited into this study; 117 values of simultaneous transcutaneous bilirubin and microbilirubin were recorded. The mean transcutaneous bilirubin (TCB) was 9.5 ± 2.4 mg/dL and the mean serum microbilirubin (MB) was 10.5 ± 2.5 mg/dL. The correlation coefficient was 0.784. The hour-specific nomogram was performed at the relative risk of the 40^th, 75^th and 95^th percentiles.

Conclusion : The transcutaneous biliribinometer has been shown to be useful for the screening of hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. An hourspecific transcutaneous bilirubin nomogram is helpful to predict hyperbilirubinemia.