Correlation between Transcutaneous Bilirubinemia and Blood Bilirubinemia in Screening Term Newborn for Neonatal Jaundice at the Essos Hospital Centre (EHC), Yaoundé, Cameroon

Background: Early and non-invasive diagnosis of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia remains critical in dark skinned babies low resource settings. Objective: To assess correlation/agreement between transcutaneous bilirubin (Tcb) serum (Tsb) values full term neonates with jaundice. Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at the neonatology unit Essos Hospital Centre (EHC) from January to June 2019. All full-term aged 0 7 days suspected jaundice who did not receive phototherapy were eligible for study. The enrolled assessed clinically, then MBJ20 bilirubinometer (TcB). highest measurement over forehead sternum compared TsB. Data entered analysed CsPro7.2 R (version 3.6.0) software. Correlation captured by Bland & Alman plots Concordance Coefficient (CCC) estimates. Pearson correlation coefficient Student test paired data used descriptions purposes, significance level 5%. Results: We recruited 88 neonates. sex ratio included 1.25 favouring males. Median Post-natal age 3 62% 72 hours or more. mean TcB corresponding maximum average frontal sternal 153 mg/dl ± 48 Tsb 123.80 50.48. A good linear found total r = 0.86 [0.80; 0.91]. Positive noted both (forehead sternum) measurements sites, namely 0.78 0.86. Altman plot measured bias -29.68 mg/l (confidence interval 95%, 21.14 - 80.50). CCC estimate 0.2 varying -0.22 0.76 according threshold post-natal age. ROC area under curve value a Conclusion: despite poor agreement Tsb. method systematically overestimated