Abstract
Background: Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia is a common occurrence and is a treatable cause of brain injury. If required, the treatment for this condition is phototherapy on most occasions. The decision whether to use phototherapy is currently dependent upon serum bilirubin assay results. However, repeated blood sampling is not only traumatic but may also be a cause of anaemia, especially in preterm neonates.
Aim: We evaluated a transcutaneous bilirubin assay method to determine whether it was suitable for routine use in preterm infants.
Methods: One hundred and eighty three transcutaneous bilirubin measurements were taken contemporaneously with blood samples for laboratory measurement of serum bilirubin. The study was carried out with informed parental consent and approval by the local research ethics committee.
Results: Regression analysis showed r = 0.8965, P < 0.005. A least squares X on Y regression plot for transcutaneous bilirubin (Y) vs laboratory bilirubin (X) gave Intercept = 17.7 µmol/L, slope = 1.059. The transcutaneous bilirubin method (BiliChek®) exhibited a consistent positive bias compared to the laboratory bilirubin assay. Consequently, for a given detection rate, the transcutaneous method had a higher screen positive rate. There was a margin of safety in the transcutaneous bilirubin assay calibration.
Conclusion: The BiliChek® transcutaneous bilirubin assay is a safe alternative to laboratory bilirubin assay in deciding whether phototherapy is required in preterm neonates.
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Ahmed, M., Mostafa, S., Fisher, G. et al. 1143 Comparison Between Transcutaneous Bilirubinometry and Total Serum Bilirubin Measurements in Preterm Infants < 35 Weeks Gestation. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 566 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-01143
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-01143
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