The Utility of Transcutaneous Bilirubin Measurement in Newborns with Hyperbilirubinemia: A Prospective Observational Study During and After Phototherapy

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubin measurements during and after phototherapy in term and late-preterm infants. Methods In this prospective observational study, transcutaneous bilirubin levels were measured at both the glabella (covered skin) and the lower abdomen (covered by the diaper) during treatment, plots. then 12 and 24 hours after discontinuing the phototherapy. Total serum bilirubin levels were simultaneously collected through a blood sample. The agreement between transcutaneous bilirubin and total serum bilirubin levels during and after phototherapy was evaluated using Bland-Altman Results A total of 90 newborn infants and 540 paired bilirubin values were included in this study. The findings indicate that despite a moderate correlation with TSB levels, TcB measurements underestimate TSB levels. Conclusion This study indicates a moderate correlation and agreement between TcB measurements and TSB levels in term and late-preterm infants undergoing phototherapy, with a tendency to underestimate TSB values and considerable variability between the two methods. Hence, TcB measurements cannot be relied upon as a substitute for TSB measurements during and after phototherapy.