Transcutaneous bilirubinometry is not influenced by term or skin color in neonates.

Abstract Background The utility of transcutaneous bilirubin measurements (TcB) in screening for hyperbilirubinemia in preterm infants ( Aim To evaluate accuracy of TcB in preterm and term infants of different ethnic backgrounds, using a second generation bilirubinometer. Study design The Draeger JM-103® device was used to measure TcB. Eighty five measurements of TcB and total serum bilirubin (TSB) were retrospectively compared. Neonates were stratified into groups according to gestational age:  34 weeks (group 2, n = 41), and according to ethnic origin: Caucasians (group A, n = 49) and non-Caucasians (group B, n = 36). Statistical analysis, using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and Bland–Altman analysis were performed to evaluate correlation and agreement between TSB and TcB values. Multiple linear regression was used to control for confounders for TSB values. Results Correlation between TSB and TcB was high. Pearson's correlation coefficients were over 0.9 in all groups (0.910, 0.908, 0.916 and 0.934, p  Conclusions TcB measurements using the Draeger JM-103® device correlate significantly with TSB, regardless of term and skin color. Transcutaneous bilirubinometry seems to be a safe and cost-effective screening method for severe hyperbilirubinemia in newborns of different terms and ethnic origins.