Screening for Hyperbilirubinemia in Japanese Very Low Birthweight Infants Using Transcutaneous Bilirubinometry

Abstract

In Japanese VLBW infants, the accuracy of TcB measurements varies according to body site. TcB ≥8 on the sternum or upper back is more reliable than that on the forehead, lower abdomen, or waist to detect TB levels ≥10 mg/dL.

Transcutaneous bilirubinometry: Influence of gestational age and measurement site

“…Study by Chawla et al in 256 preterm neonates of <35 weeks GA for all 3 sites showed good correlation on forehead followed by abdomen and then sternum (r = 0.84, 0.72 and 0.83) 4 . Similar observations have been made by Kurokawa et al in VLBW neonates 5 . The studies by Stillova et al also showed (r = 0.85, 0.81 and 0.73) and (r = 0.81, 0.93 and 0.87) over forehead, sternum and abdomen in 44 neonates of 32-34 GA group and 32 neonates of <32 GA respectively 6,7 .…”

Evaluation of BiliCare™ transcutaneous bilirubin device in Japanese newborns

“…Bilirubin in the skin absorbs blue light (450 nm wavelength) and absorbs little green light (550 nm wavelength). Based on this property, the degree of yellowing (jaundice) is assessed by measuring the proportion of green and blue light in the light returned from the skin, and the resultant TcB measurement shows good correlation with TB . Due to the stabilization of light emission, the JM‐105 has reduced measurement variation compared with the JM‐103.…”

“…Due to the stabilization of light emission, the JM‐105 has reduced measurement variation compared with the JM‐103. Given that it is necessary to compress the body site being evaluated for TcB using the JM‐103 or 105, there has been concern regarding the deviation in measured values among the individuals doing the measuring and the measurement sites …”

“…Based on this property, the degree of yellowing (jaundice) is assessed by measuring the proportion of green and blue light in the light returned from the skin, and the resultant TcB measurement shows good correlation with TB. 4,5 Due to the stabilization of light emission, the JM-105 has reduced measurement variation compared with the JM-103. Given that it is necessary to compress the body site being evaluated for TcB using the JM-103 or 105, there has been concern regarding the deviation in measured values among the individuals doing the measuring and the measurement sites.…”

“…Given that it is necessary to compress the body site being evaluated for TcB using the JM-103 or 105, there has been concern regarding the deviation in measured values among the individuals doing the measuring and the measurement sites. 5,6 Recently, a new device, the BiliCare TM system (Natus Medical, Pleasanton, CA, USA), has been developed, which measures TcB at the ear. The BiliCare uses a light-emitting diode (LED) lamp, which is different from the JM-103 and 105.…”