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Accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubin measurement in newborns after phototherapy

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Abstract

Objective:

We tested the accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measure in newborns undergoing phototherapy.

Study Design:

In a prospective study of 150 term Caucasian neonates, 255 measurements of total serum bilirubin (TSB) and TcB concentration were obtained 2 h after discontinuing phototherapy. TcB measurements obtained on the forehead, sternum, abdomen and covered lower abdomen were statistically compared with the corresponding TSB.

Result:

TcB consistently underestimated TSB levels significantly. The smallest but significant difference between TSB and TcB was found on the lower abdomen. The correlation between TSB and TcB was found to be moderately close (r=0.4 to 0.5). TcB measurements were inaccurate, regardless of phototherapy technique (Bilibed, conventional phototherapy).

Conclusion:

Phototherapy significantly interferes with the accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubinometry. TcB measurements performed 2 h after stopping phototherapy were not reliable, even if they were carried out on the unexposed body area. TSB assessment remains necessary, if treatment of hyperbilirubinemia is being considered.

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Acknowledgements

The work was supported by a VEGA grant (No.1/0100/15) provided by Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and the Slovak Academy of Sciences, and by a grant (the project No.APVV-0315-11) provided by Slovak Research and Development Agency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Martin and Jessenius Medical Faculty Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia

    L Casnocha Lucanova, K Matasova & M Zibolen

  2. Department of Neonatology, Children Faculty Hospital Kosice and Medical Faculty, Pavol Jozef Safarik University Kosice, Slovakia

    P Krcho

Authors
  1. L Casnocha Lucanova
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  2. K Matasova
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  3. M Zibolen
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Correspondence to L Casnocha Lucanova.

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Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on the Journal of Perinatology website

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Casnocha Lucanova, L., Matasova, K., Zibolen, M. et al. Accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubin measurement in newborns after phototherapy. J Perinatol 36, 858–861 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2016.91

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2016.91

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