Comparative Analysis of Transcutaneous Bilirubin Measurement Techniques and Their Agreement With Serum Bilirubin Levels in Neonatal Jaundice: A Prospective Study

Aim: This prospective study aimed to assess the accuracy and agreement of two transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) devices—BiliCare and MBJ20—compared with serum total bilirubin (STB) in neonates with jaundice. Methods: Eighty‐eight infants born at ≥ 34 weeks of gestation were included. TcB was measured from the auricle using BiliCare and from the sternum using MBJ20, concurrently with STB testing. Results: The median gestational age was 38 weeks and mean birth weight was 3108 g; 39% were delivered by cesarean section and 49% were male. Mean bilirubin levels were 14.6 mg/dL (MBJ20), 12.9 mg/dL (BiliCare), and 14.4 mg/dL (STB). Both devices showed strong correlation with STB (MBJ20: r = 0.756, BiliCare: r = 0.772; p < 0.001). Mean differences from STB were −0.12 mg/dL for MBJ20 and 1.54 mg/dL for BiliCare. BiliCare showed higher predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.814) than MBJ20 (AUC = 0.751). Optimal TcB cutoff values were 14.2 mg/dL (BiliCare) and 15.6 mg/dL (MBJ20). Regression analysis showed no significant bias for either device. Based on STB measurements, 15% of the infants required phototherapy (PT). Conclusion: Both devices provide reliable noninvasive screening though BiliCare has a better accuracy in predicting the need for PT.