Comparison of Accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubinometry in the estimation of bilirubin level in full term and pre term neonates

Abstract

Objective: To determine the accuracy of bilirubin values obtained from transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TCB) using the transcutaneous bilirubinometer (TcB) device with total serum bilirubin (TSB) in full-term and pre-term neonates.

Methods: This comparative, single center study included a total of 300 both full-term and pre-term neonates, had icterus minimum up to the chest based on Kramer clinical staging. Neonates with poor peripheral perfusion or shock and on phototherapy were excluded. TCB measurement was performed by using TcB JM 105 (Drager system, Germany) in accordance with manufacture’s recommendation. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected simultaneously for TSB estimation and done on automated biochemistry analyzer (Agappe Model Mispa Nano plus) by Diazo method. Spearman’s rank correlation test and Bland-Altman plot analysis were applied to analyze the accuracy and correlation where P value of ≤0.05 indicated statistical significance

Results: Out of 300 neonates, 59.33% and 40.67% neonates were delivered at full term and pre-term, respectively. The correlation coefficient between serum bilirubin and transcutaneous bilirubinometer measurements (r²=0.8706) was statistically significant (p<0.01). The results also showed a positive correlation between both measurements in full-term and pre-term neonates (r²0.8689 for pre-term and 0.8226 for term), irrespective of their gestational age.

Conclusion: TCB was accurate in the estimation of bilirubin measurement in both full-term and preterm neonates.