Transcutaneous bilirubin measurement at the time of hospital discharge in a multiethnic newborn population.

Background: Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia continues to occur in healthy newborns. Recent guidelines have supported using transcutaneous devices in estimating bilirubin levels. Previous studies using these devices are limited.

Methods: Newborns requiring serum bilirubin level measurements before hospital discharge were recruited prospectively. The agreement between a transcutaneous bilirubin (TCB) and total serum bilirubin (TSB) level was assessed. Sensitivity analysis was conducted.

Results: A total of 430 infants were enrolled. Correlation between the values was high (Pearson's correlation coefficient 0.83; Lin's concordance coefficient 0.81 [95% CI 0.77 to 0.84]; P<0.001). The mean (± SD) TSB level was 194±60 μmol/L. The TCB measurement tended to overestimate the value (mean difference 12.7), with wide 95% limits of agreement (-52 μmol/L to 77 μmol/L). Sensitivity and specificity analysis of TCB values allowed estimation of clinically important TSB levels.

Conclusions: The TCB correlated, but was imprecise in predicting TSB. TCB values can be used at the time of discharge to safely plan care for jaundiced infants if the limits of agreement are considered and clinical judgment is maintained.