Transcutaneous bilirubinometry is a reliably conservative method of assessing neonatal jaundice

Abstract

Objective: In order to reduce invasive testing in newborns prior to discharge, we tested the direction of the correlation between transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) and total serum bilirubin (TSB), the likelihood of missing high TSBs with a raised threshold for confirmatory testing, and also calculated potential cost savings from fewer laboratory testing.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of single paired TcB and TSB results measured at 36 ± 2 h of life in neonates ≥37 weeks admitted only to the Level 1 nursery. TcB was measured using the BiliChek® meter.

Results: Of the 552 infants, 512 (92.8%) had TSB levels below TcB values. Correlation between TcB and TSB was 0.69. If TSB confirmation was to be performed at 11.7 mg/dL (medium risk threshold for phototherapy), the negative predictive value was 99.4%, with a potential cost savings of $6555.00 ($1500.00 per 100 patients). Of the 495 infants with TcB <11.7 mg/dL, only 3 had TSB levels higher than 11.7 mg/dL, and none met phototherapy threshold for low risk infants.

Conclusions: TcB screening at our institution has a high negative predictive value, and can be used as a stand-alone test until values are close to phototherapy threshold, thus reducing invasive testing and cost.

• BiliChek® meter
• correlation
• hyperbilirubinemia
• newborn

Declaration of interest

The authors have no disclosures or conflicts of interest to report. No funding was received for the performance of this study.