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Assessment of neonatal jaundice in low birth weight infants comparing transcutaneous, capillary and arterial bilirubin levels

  • Neonatology
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Abstract

Total serum bilirubin level was assessed in a group of jaundiced low birth weight infants using three different methods. Transcutaneous bilirubinometry was compared with conventional capillary and arterial methods to investigate the over-or underestimation of neonatal jaundice. Sampling site did not influence bilirubin levels. Capillary and arterial results showed a linear correlation (r=0.9) suggesting no influence of environmental light on peripheral bilirubin isomerization. Similar results were obtained comparing both serum levels with transcutaneous values (r=0.7). We conclude that treatment decisions may be made on the basis of one of the three mentioned methods in healthy low birth weight infants with neonatal jaundice.

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Abbreviations

TcB:

transcutaneous bilirubin

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Amato, M., Huppi, P. & Markus, D. Assessment of neonatal jaundice in low birth weight infants comparing transcutaneous, capillary and arterial bilirubin levels. Eur J Pediatr 150, 59–61 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01959483

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01959483

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