Effectiveness of transcutaneous bilirubin measurement in high-risk neonates and to evaluate validity of transcutaneous bilirubin with total serum bilirubin levels in both low and high-risk neonates at a tertiary care center in a developing country

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of transcutaneous bilirubin (TcBR) nomogram in high-risk neonates and to identify the validity of TcBR and total serum bilirubin (TsBR) in both low and high-risk neonates to guide management in under-resourced settings.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the well-baby nursery of a tertiary care center in Karachi, Pakistan. All neonates admitted in the well-baby nursery with jaundice were stratified into high and low-risk groups. Eighty-seven neonates were included in the low-risk group and 121 neonates in the high-risk group. The usefulness of the TcBR nomogram in high-risk neonates and the validity of TcBR and TsBR in both low and high-risk neonates were determined through sensitivity and specificity analysis.Results: The correlation coefficients (r) were found to be comparable in the high-risk group (r = 0.82, p \u3c 0.001) and the low-risk group (r = 0.87, p \u3c 0.001). The specificity of cutaneous bilirubin measurement based on bilirubin levels in the high-risk group was higher (93.0%) than that of the low-risk group (90.1%). However, the sensitivity was found to be lower (60.0%) in the high-risk group compared to the low-risk group (68.8%). The mean value of TsBR was equal in both groups. The mean TcBR in the high-risk group was 10 ± 2.3 compared to 11 ± 2.1 in the low-risk group. Phototherapy was given in 67.0% of the high-risk cases and 41.4% of the low-risk cases. Bland Altman analysis was also performed to depict the relationship between TcBR and TsBR measurements.Conclusion: The TcBR nomogram was effective in high-risk neonates and also had validity in both high and low-risk neonates. A phototherapy-driven protocol based on TcBR would be a cost-effective and useful tool in the identification and management of neonatal jaundice in both high and low-risk groups in developing countries like Pakistan