Affiliations: [a] Department of Pediatrics, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY, USA
| [b] Department of Academic Affairs, University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY, USA
| [c] Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Rita P. Verma, MD, Director of Neonatology, Nassau University Medical Center, 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, New York 11554, USA. Tel.: +1 631 875 5375; E-mail: rverma2@numc.edu.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:The aim was to assess the predictability of transcutaneous bilirubinometry in late preterm and term neonates at risk for pathological hyperbilirubinemia, and to identify the neonatal population in which transcutaneous bilirubin most accurately predicts serum bilirubin level (SB, mg/dl). METHODS:The correlations between transcutaneous bilirubin (TCB, mg/dl) and SB in different neonatal population subsets; and between ΔTSB (TCB-SB) and relevant neonatal variables and clinical groups were analyzed. RESULTS:TCB correlated with SB (r = 0.82, p < 0.05) in the cohort (n = 350) and in population subsets (r = 0.81–0.9, p < 0.001). Black infants with gestational age (GA) >35 weeks and chronological age (CA) >3 days recorded strongest correlation (r = 0.9, p < 0.001) followed by Blacks, and non-Black infants with CA >3 days and GA >35 weeks. ΔTSB was positive in Blacks, and in infants with CA <3 days, or with no phototherapy. ΔTSB was negative in non-Blacks, in infants with positive direct Coombs test (DC+) or those receiving phototherapy. Black race [beta (SE) = 1.3(0.33), p < 0.001] had positive, while CA [beta (SE) =−1.74 (0.36), p < 0.001], DC + status [beta (SE) =−0.72 (0.25), p = 0.004] and receipt of phototherapy [beta (SE) =−0.84 (0.21), p < 0.001] each had negative correlation with ΔTSB. ΔTSB for Blacks was >Whites, Hispanics and Asians. CONCLUSION:SB is best predicted by TCB in Black infants with CA over 3 days and GA over 35 weeks. Variability in SB estimation by TCB is race, CA and immune mediated hemolysis specific.
Keywords: Transcutaneous bilirubinometry, transcutaneous bilirubin, serum bilirubin, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, predictability, black race, immune mediated hemolysis, gestational age, chronological age
