Measurement of Transcutaneous Bilirubin with Bilicheck as a Jaundice Screening Method in Neonates in Pediatric Emergency Departments

Objectives: To study the reliability of a transcutaneous bilirubinometer (Bilicheck) to determine bilirubin levels in neonates consulting for jaundice in a Paediatric Emergency Department (ED), and to evaluate its usefulness as a screening method. Methods: Prospective observational study realized between June of 2005 and December of 2005 in neonates consulting at a paediatric emergency department for jaundice, in whom we realized both transcutaneous and total serum bilirubin measurements (TcB and TSB). We collected demographic variables, analytical variables (serum and transcutaneous bilirubin levels), length of stay in the ED, and need for treatment. Results: 66 children were included aged 2 to 31 days (81% of the sample were 2 to 7 days old). There was a close and statistically significant correlation between TcB and TSB (r = 0.81, p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve was of 0.90, allowing detecting newborns with jaundice susceptible of treatment with TcB levels ≥ 13 mg/dL (sensitivity 92%, specificity 63, 5%, a positive predictive value 39% and a negative predictive value 97%). The number of venous punctures could be reduced in 50%. The medium stay in the ED was of 2 hours when performing serum measurements. Conclusions: A linear correlation exists between TcB-TSB. TcB measurement cannot replace that of TsB, however it could be used as a screening method in an ED to determine which neonates need confirmation by TsB measurement. The use of transcutaneous bilirubinometer would reduce both the number of painful interventions in neonates and the medium length of stay in ED, consequently reducing iatrogenesis.