Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubin at different sites with serum total bilirubin measurement in preterm neonate

Background: Transcutaneous bilirubin measurement (TcB) is widely used in term babies, but its effectiveness as well the suitable site for preterm babies still debated. Aim and Objective: To compare diagnostic accuracy of different transcutaneous sites with serum total neonate. Methods: This prospective comparative study was carried out special care baby unit at Alwahda teaching hospital-Derna-Libya. (102) infants (gestational age less than 37 weeks) whom clinical jaundice significant mandating TSB were included study. Study subjects who met inclusion criteria chosen consecutively. All measurements within first postnatal week. measured from four sites: forehead, sternum, abdomen interscapular region 30 min measurement. Results: Correlation coefficients 0.69, 0.70, 0.67 0.69 respectively. TcB all correlated significantly (p < 0.001), correlation best abdominal site. Conclusions: an acceptable method identification hyperbilirubinemia requiring treatment newborns.