Clinical evaluation of transcutaneous jaundice meter in full-term newborns.

Serum bilirubin (SB) and jaundice meter index (JMI) were evaluated at eight different body sites in 98 full-term newborns within their first seven days of life. There was a linear correlation between JMI and SB. The forehead area had the highest correlation (0.87) and determination coefficients (0.76). The slope of the linear regression line decreased progressively from forehead to sole, an indication of the cephalopedal progression of dermal icterus. The correlation was compatible on different postnatal days. The JMI corresponded to SB of 10mg/dl and 13mg/dl were 15 and 16, respectively. This meant that when JMI was less than 15, no SB determination was needed; at greater than 16, SB measurement was indicated; at 15 or 16, the infant should be observed, with indication for SB measurement by serial JMI data and by clinical judgement. Using an action level of 16 to predict SB of 13mg/dl or more, the sensitivity was 90%; specificity, 90%; negative predictive value, 99%; positive predictive value, 54%. The correlation of JMI to SB should be assessed before clinical usage of the transcutaneous jaundice meter as a screening device for neonatal jaundice.