Transcutaneous Bilirubin Measurement as a Predictor of Significant Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia in Low Birth Weight Neonates

Authors

  • Suchetha S Rao Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka- 576104, India.
  • Karthik Chellaganapathy Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka- 576104, India.
  • Nutan Kamath Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka- 576104, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v42i1.38236

Keywords:

Bilirubin, early diagnosis, jaundice, prognosis

Abstract

Introduction: Early recognition of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is essential to prevent bilirubin encephalopathy. Transcutaneous bilirubin (TCB) measurement is a simple and easy method to predict neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. We aimed to study the efficacy of TCB as a predictor of subsequent significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in low birth neonates and compared the forehead and sternal sites for TCB measurement.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted from August to October 2018 at a teaching hospital in South India including term and late preterm neonates weighing < 2.5 kg. The TCB values were obtained from the forehead (TCB-FH) and sternum (TCB-S) by a non-Invasive Bilirubin Analyser. The average of TCB (TCB- AV) was determined for each baby with TCB-FH and TCB –S values. Neonates were followed up subsequently till discharge for the development of significant hyperbilirubinemia. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated and the best cut-off value for 24-hour TCB as a predictor of significant hyperbilirubinemia was established.

Results: The study included 88 neonates, of which 39 (44.3%) were late preterm and 49 (55.7%) term small for gestation age. Mean values of TCB –AV 6.25 ± 1.58, TCB – FH 6.24 ± 1.57391, and TCB – S 6.27 ± 1.56 were noted. The cut off value for TCB – AV was found to be 6.85 as a predictor for subsequent neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. TCB – AV was a better predictor than TCB - FH or TCB – S.

Conclusions: TCB measurement is an easy and reliable predictor for subsequent significant hyperbilirubinemia in low birth weight neonates. The average of TCB forehead and sternum was a better predictor of significant hyperbilirubinemia.

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Published

2022-11-27

How to Cite

S Rao, S., Chellaganapathy, K., & Kamath, N. (2022). Transcutaneous Bilirubin Measurement as a Predictor of Significant Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia in Low Birth Weight Neonates. Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society, 42(1), 129–133. https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v42i1.38236

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2022 Suchetha S Rao, Dr, Karthik Chellaganapathy, Mr, Nutan Kamath, Dr

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