Comparison of Transcutaneous and Serum Bilirubin Measurements in Neonates 30 to 34 Weeks' Gestation Before, During, and After Phototherapy.

BACKGROUND: The use of noninvasive, transcutaneous bilirubin monitoring (TcB) as a jaundice screen in full-term infants is well established; however, there is a paucity of research evaluating the use of TcB in premature infants.

PURPOSE: To compare agreement and consistency of transcutaneous and serum bilirubin measurements in a multiracial premature infant population ranging from 30 to 34(Equation is included in full-text article.)weeks' gestation before, during, and after phototherapy.

METHODS: Forty-five neonates, 30 to 34(Equation is included in full-text article.)weeks' gestation, were enrolled in this prospective, correlational study over a 12-month period. One set of paired transcutaneous and serum bilirubin measurements, per neonate, was obtained before phototherapy, during therapy, and after phototherapy. Exclusion criteria included neonates with positive direct coombs test or evidence of hemolytic disease, major congenital anomalies, hydrops fetalis, and those not expected to survive.

RESULTS: There was a strong, positive correlation between TcB and total serum monitoring (TSB) measurements obtained pretherapy (r = 0.797, P < .001). A moderate correlation was noted between TcB and TSB measurements obtained during therapy (r = 0.588, P < .001). A strong correlation was noted between TcB and TSB measurements obtained posttherapy (r = 0.869, P < .001). There were no significant differences between paired samples across time (F = 0.891, P = .41, partial η = 0.01). The TSB measurements were consistently lower than TcB pretherapy, during, and posttherapy.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The TcB measurements provide a reliable estimation, generally within 2 to 3 mg/dL of TSB levels, in premature infants 30 to 34(Equation is included in full-text article.)weeks' gestation.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Investigation of consumption of time and nursing personnel required to perform TcB testing, compared with TSB testing, is indicated. Cost analyses comparing TcB-driven screening protocols and interval TSB measurements, among premature infants, are indicated. As newer generations of TcB devices are approved for use, additional studies using mixed-race populations of premature infants will be necessary to continue to evaluate the reliability and validity of this screening tool within the everyday neonatal intensive care unit.