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Comparison of the transcutaneous bilirubinometers BiliCheck and Minolta JM‐103 in preterm neonates
Author(s) -
Ebbesen Finn,
Vandborg Pernille K,
Trydal Torleif
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2012.02797.x
Subject(s) - medicine , gestational age , confounding , bilirubin , gastroenterology , pregnancy , genetics , biology
Aim: To investigate the trueness and uncertainty of two transcutaneous bilirubinometers BiliCheck and Minolta JM‐103 in preterm infants; establish cut‐off values for the transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) level, indicating the need for total serum bilirubin (TsB) measurement; and estimate how many blood samples could be saved. Methods: In 133 neonates with gestational ages 28 +0 –34 +6 weeks, 239 measurements of TcB by BiliCheck (TcB(B)) and JM‐103 (TcB(M)) and of TsB were performed. Results: Median TsB of the first samples was 160 (range, 53–293) μmol/L, whereas median TcB(B) was 12 μmol/L (8%) lower and TcB(M) 67 μmol/L (40%) lower. TcB(B) underestimated TsB for TsB ≥180μmol/L. All TcB(M) values, except one, underestimated TsB. The underestimation increased with increasing TsB. Multiple regression analysis showed that post‐natal age and ethnicity were confounding factors for TcB(M); none were found for TcB(B). The uncertainty was the same for the two instruments. By using cut‐off values of 70% of the phototherapy limit for TcB(B) and 35% for TcB(M), the sensitivity of the screening would be 95% and 97%, and 36% and 24% of the blood samples could be saved, respectively. Conclusion: TcB determined with JM‐103 gave values much lower than those obtained with BiliCheck. The underestimation of TsB increased with increasing concentrations. By using transcutaneous bilirubinometers in preterm neonates, 24–36% of the blood samples could be saved.