Reliability of Noninvasive Measurement of Bilirubin Concentration in Healthy Newborns

Overview

Objective:
To evaluate reliability of transcutaneous measurement of bilirubin (Bi) concentration using a noninvasive bilirubinmeter Air-Shields Minolta JM-103 and to compare the results obtained on various parts of the newborn body surface.

Patients and methods:
The whole cohort („s“) of 247 physiological newborns (139 boys, 108 girls) was divided according to concentration serum Bi into a physiological subgroup „f“ (Bi <220 μmol/l, n = 138) and a pathological subgroup „p“ (Bi ≥220 μmol/l, n = 109).

Results:
Differences (Δ) between the transcutaneous value of Bi concentration on the forehead (ΔC), sternum (ΔS), belly (ΔB) and the value of Bi concentration in serum, considered as standard, were evaluated. Insignificant differences in the subgroup „f“ were obtained in the measurement on the forehead (ΔC = 1.25 μmol/l (CI –3.1–5.6)) and in the subgroup „p“ on sternum (ΔS = 1.9 μmol/l (CI –3.7–7.5)) as well as on the belly (ΔB = 3.4 (CI–3.2–10.0)), (p >0.05), the other observed differences in both subgroups „f“, „p“ as well as in the whole cohort „s“ displayed significant differences as compared to serum concentration of Bi.

Conclusion:
Based on the results it is possible to recommend transcutaneous measurement of Bi concentration by the apparatus Minolta JM-103 in the area of sternum or belly of mature newborns as a reliable examination, which safely diagnoses hyperbilirubinemia where therapy is required.

Key words:
newborn, bilirubin, hyperbilirubinemia, icterus, transcutaneous measurement, Minolta JM-103