Covered skin transcutaneous bilirubin estimation is comparable with serum bilirubin during and after phototherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) from covered skin (TcB-C) during and after discontinuing phototherapy (PHT) is reliable in treating neonatal jaundice.

STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective observational study, before starting PHT, part of the forehead was covered. TcB-C and TcB from exposed skin (TcB-E) to PHT were measured before starting PHT, on a 12-hourly basis while receiving PHT and 6 h after stopping PHT. We used ANOVA (analysis of variance) and Bonferroni's t-tests.

RESULT: A total of 39 infants were enrolled (mean gestation 39 weeks, 51% males and 80% Hispanic). The mean TSB over all time periods was 10.9±2.4, TcB-C 10.9±2.4 and TcB-E 7.2±3.4. Before PHT, there were no significant differences in bilirubin by all three techniques. TcB-C was not significantly different from TSB at any time point. However, TcB-E was significantly lower during PHT and after stopping PHT.

CONCLUSION: TcB-C is a reliable method in the management of neonatal jaundice.