Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Transcutaneous bilirubinometry in the newborn infant: State of the art

  • Medical Intelligence
  • Published:
Journal of Clinical Monitoring Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant continues to challenge physicians. Clinical evaluation and treatment have evolved well-established principles over the past decade. This review examines neonatal bilirubin metabolism and focuses on a recently developed clinical diagnostic tool, the transcutaneous bilirubinometer.

In spite of some limitations, the transcutaneous bilirubinometer can be best applied as a screening tool to identify healthy full-term infants who require serum bilirubin determination. With proper application, this device can eliminate most invasive diagnostic testing. Optimal use of the instrument requires the relationship between the serum bilirubin concentration and the transcutaneous bilirubinometer index to be determined for each device, institution, and population.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Metlinger B: Ein Regimen der jungen Kinder. Ausberg: G. Zainer, 1473

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ettmuller M: De infant morbis. Frankfurt, 1708

  3. Burton J: An essay towards a complete new system of midwifry, theoretical and practical. London: J. Hodges, 1751

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ylppo A: Icterus neonatorum (incl. I.n. gravis) und gallenfarbstoffsekretion bein foetus and neugenboren. Z Kinderheilkd 1913;9:208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Schmorl G: Zur kentus des icterus neonatorum. Verh Deutch Ges Path 1903;6:109

    Google Scholar 

  6. Arias IM: Formation of bile pigment. In: Arias IM, ed: Handbook of physiology; alimentary canal. Vol 5. Washington: American Physiologic Society, 1968:section 6

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bonnet T, Davies JE, Hursthouse MB: The structure of bilirubin. Nature 1976;262:326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Fleischner GM, Arias IM: Structure and function of ligandin and Z protein in the liver: A progress report. In: Popper H, Schaffner F, eds: Progress in liver disease. Vol 5. New York: Grune & Stratton, Inc, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  9. Gartner LM, Lane DL, Cornelius CE: Bilirubin transport by liver in adult Macaca mulatta. Am J Physiol 1971;220:1528

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Jansen PLM: Enzymatic conversion of bilirubin monoglucuronide to diglucuronide by rat liver plasma membrane. J Biol Chem 1977;252:2710

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Maisels MJ: Bilirubin; on understanding and influencing its metabolism in the newborn infant. Paediatr Clin North Am 1972;19:446

    Google Scholar 

  12. Gartner LM, Hollander M: Disorders of bilirubin metabolism. In: Assali N, ed. Pathophysiology of gestation. New York: Academic Press, Vol 3, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  13. Porak MC: Considerations sur l'ictere des nouveau-nes et sur le moment ou il faut pratique la ligature du cordon ombilical. Rev Mins Med Chis 1878;2:342

    Google Scholar 

  14. Rolleston H, McNee JH: Diseases of the liver, gall bladder and bile ducts. 3rd Ed. London: Macmillan, 1929:606

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kramer LI: Advancement of dermal icterus in the jaundiced newborn. Am J Dis Child 1969;118:454

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Ebbesen F: The relationship between the cephalo-pedal progression of clinical icterus and the serum bilirubin concentration in newborn infants without blood type sensitization. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1975;54:329

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Gosset IH: A pespex icterometer for neonates. Lancet 1960;1:87

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Hannemann RE, DeWitt DP, Wiechel JF: Neonatal serum bilirubin from skin reflectance. Pediatr Res 1970;12:207

    Google Scholar 

  19. Yamanouchi I, Yamauchi Y, Igarashi I: Transcutaneous bilirubinometry: Preliminary studies of noninvasive transcutaneous bilirubin meter in the Okayama National Hospital. Pediatrics 1980;65:195

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Hegyi T, Hiatt IM, Indyk L: Transcutaneous bilirubinometry. I. Correlations in term infants. J Pediatr 1981;98:454–457

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Palmer DC, Zenner EM, Drew JH: Transcutaneous bilirubinometry: Use in Australia. Aust Pediatr J 1982;18:273

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Maisels MJ, Lee C: Transcutaneous bilirubin measurements: Variations in meter response. Pediatrics 1983;70:457

    Google Scholar 

  23. Sheridan-Pereira M, Gorman W: Transcutaneous bilirubinometry: An evaluation. Arch Dis Child 1982;57:708

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Tan KL: Transcutaneous bilirubinometry in full term Chinese and Malay infants. Acta Paediatr Scand 1982;71:593

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Hannemann RE, Schreiner RL, DeWitt DP, et al: Evaluation of the Minolta bilirubin meter as a screening device in white and black infants. Pediatrics 1982;69:107

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Goldman SL, Penalver A, Penarande R: Jaundice meter: Evaluation of new guidelines. J Pediatr 1982;101:253

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Maisels MJ, Conrad S: Transcutaneous bilirubin measurements in full term infants. Pediatrics 1982;70:464

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Tudehope DI, Chang A: Non-invasive methods of measuring bilirubin levels in newborn infants. Med J Aust 1982;1:165

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Tudehope DI, Chang A: Multiple site readings from a transcutaneous bilirubinometer. Aust Pediatr J 1982;18:102

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Krauss AN, Post PW, Waldman S, Auld PAM: Skin reflectance in the newborn infant. Pediatr Res 1976;10:776

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. No reference

  32. No reference

  33. Hegyi T, Hiatt IM, Gertner I, Indyk L: Transcutaneous bilirubinometry: The cephalocaudal progression of dermal icterus. Am J Dis Child 1981;135:547

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Rubaltelli FF, Carli M: The effect of light on cutaneous bilirubin. Biol Neonate 1971;18:457

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Brown AK, McDonagh AF: Phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: Efficacy, mechanism and toxicity. Adv Pediatr 1980;27:341

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Hodgman JE, Schwartz A: Phototherapy and hyperbilirubinemia of the premature. Am J Dis Child 1970;119:473

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Lucey JF, Ferreiro M, Hewitt J: Prevention of hyperbilirubinemia of prematurity by phototherapy. Pediatrics 1980;41:1407

    Google Scholar 

  38. Sisson TRC, Kendall N, Shaw E, Kechavarz-Olial L: Phototherapy of jaundice in the newborn infant. J Pediatr 1972;81:35

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Hewitt JR, Klein RM, Lucey JF: Photodegradation of serum bilirubin in the Gunn rat. Biol Neonate 1972;21:112

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. McDonagh AF: Phototherapy: A new twist to bilirubin. J Pediatr 1981;99:909

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Cifuentes RF, Nelson AJ, Levine J: Cutaneous bilirubinometry during phototherapy. Pediatr Res 1982;16:282A

    Google Scholar 

  42. Panick M, Lucey JF: Transcutaneous bilirubinometry can be used during phototherapy. Pediatr Res 1982;16:302A

    Google Scholar 

  43. Tolentino T, Zanni R, Gertner I, et al: Transcutaneous bilirubinometer: Correlations during phototherapy. Pediatr Res 1982;16:312A

    Google Scholar 

  44. Hegyi T, Hiatt IM, Gertner I, et al: Transcutaneous bilirubinometry. II. Dermal bilirubin kinetics during phototherapy. Pediatr Res 1983;17:888

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Strange M, Cassady G: Neonatal transcutaneous bilirubinometry. Clin Perinatol 1985;12:51

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Maisels MJ: Neonatal jaundice. In: Avery CB, ed: Neonatology: Pathophysiology and management of the newborn. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  47. Brown AK, Kim MH, Nuchpuckdee P, Boyle G: Transcutaneous bilirubinometry in infants: Influence of race and phototherapy. Pediatr Res 1981;15:653

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Vangyanichyakorn K, Sun S, Abubaker A, Glista B: Transcutaneous bilirubinometry in black and Hispanic infants. Pediatr Res 1981;15:685

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatal Medicine, Dept of Pediatrics, UMDNJ-Rutgers Medical School, 254 Easton Ave, 08903, New Brunswick, NJ

    Thomas Hegyi MD

Authors
  1. Thomas Hegyi MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hegyi, T. Transcutaneous bilirubinometry in the newborn infant: State of the art. J Clin Monitor Comput 2, 53–59 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01619177

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01619177

Key words

Search

Navigation