A Comparison between Transcutaneous Bilirubin (TcB) and Total Serum Bilirubin (TSB) Measurements in Term Neonates

Transcutaneous Bilirubin (TcB) and Total Serum Bilirubin (TSB) Measurements in Term Neonates

Abstract

Background: Noninvasive transcutaneous bilirubin measurement is an simple quick, and painless, method for jaundice evaluation in newborns. But variable accuracy had been reported in different studies. The aim of the study was to find out the correlation and agreement between TcB and TSB measurements in neonates. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 200 full term (37 gestational weeks) neonates weighing more than 2.5kg .TcB was measured using a bilirubinometer three times on the forehead and mean levels were calculated. Then, during the successive 30 minutes blood samples were acquired and send off to the laboratory for determining the Total Serum Bilirubin (TSB) levels. Results: Out of 100 neonates, 62 (62%) were males and 38 (38%) were females, with a mean age of 5.64.1 days (ranging from: 1-20 days). Among all the neonates 99 neonates were on breastfed while 20 (20%) neonates had a history of icter. There was a high specificity and sensitivity related to bilirubin levels between 12-15 mg/dl. On the other hand sensitivity was higher and specificity was lower for bilirubin less than 12 mg/dl. Conclusion: Results of the current study suggest that these is a highly significant correlation between total cutaneous bilirubin and serum bilirubin in term neonates. Moreover, total cutaneous bilirubin is painless and quick tool for the measurement of bilirubin and it would be helpful in following neonatal icter. However, total cutaneous bilirubin has a high sensitivity in detecting icter, it should not replace total serum bilirubin due to its relatively low specificity. That is why we strongly suggest measurement of total cutaneous bilirubin is essential with assessment of total serum bilirubin in high risk neonates.