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.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- TcB:
-
transcutaneous bilirubin
References
Amato M, Straume B (1981) Iridopupillarmembran zur Bestimmung des Gestationsalters des Frühgeborenen. Gynakol Rundsch 21:55–58
Amato M, Pasquier S, De Muralt G (1985) Mésure transcutanée de la bilirubine: correlation chez le prémature de race blanche de moins de 1500 g. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 115:937–938
Ballard J, Kazmaier K, Driver M (1977) A simplified assessment of gestational age. Pediatr Res 11:374
Brodersen R (1980) Bilirubin transport in the newborn reviewed with relation to kernicterus. J Pediatr 96:349–356
Brown A, Mae Hee Kim, Nuchpuckdee P, Boyle G (1981) Transcutaneous bilirubinometry in infants. Influence of race and phototherapy. Pediatr Res 15:653
Doumas BJ, Perry BW, Sasse EA, Straumfjörd JV (1973) Standardization in bilirubin assay: evaluation of selected methods and stability of bilirubin solutions. Clin Chem 19:984–993
Erenberger A, Bhatia J (1983) Transcutaneous bilirubinometry in the neonate: effect of gestational age. Pediatr Res 17:311A
Hannemann RE, De Witt DP, Hanley EJ, Schreiner RL, Binderman P (1979) Determination of serum bilirubin by skin reflectance: effect of pigmentation. Pediatr Res 13:1326
Harris RC, Lucey JF, MacLean JR (1958) Kernicterus in premature infants associated with low concentrations of bilirubin in plasma. Pediatrics 21:875–883
Heick CH, Mieth D, Fallenstein F, Schubiger G, Nars PW, Amato M (1982) Transkutane Bilirubinmessung beim Neugeborenen. Helv Paediatr Acta 37:589–597
Hyman CB, Keaster J, Hanson V (1969) CNS abnormalities after neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: a prospective study of 405 patients. Am J Dis Child 117:395–405
Knudsen A, Brodersen R (1989) The mechanism of bilirubin transfer from blood plasma to skin. Theoretical utility of transcutaneous bilirubinometry. Arch Dis Child (in press)
Ritter DA, Kenny JD, Norton J (1982) A prospective study of free bilirubin and other risk factors in the development of kernicterus in premature infants. Pediatrics 69:260–266
Sisson TRC, Wickler M (1973) Transmission of light through living tissue. Pediatr Res 7:316
Tan KL, Mylvanagam A (1988) Transcutaneous bilirubinometry in preterm very low birth weight infants. Acta Paediatr Scand 77:796–801
White D, Haidar GA, Reinhold JG (1958) Spectrophotometric measurement of bilirubin concentrations in the serum of the newborn by the use of a microcapillary method. Clin Chem 4:211–222
Yamaouchi Y, Yamanouchi I (1988) Transcutaneous bilirubinometry. Acta Paediatr Scand 77:791–795
Yamanouchi I, Yomauchi Y, Igarashi I (1980) Transcutaneous bilirubinometry. Preliminary studies of non-invasive transcutaneous bilirubin meter in the Okayama National Hospital. Pediatrics 65:195–202
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
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
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01959483