Transcutaneous Bilirubin for Screening of Significant Jaundice in Very Preterm Neonates

Excerpt

Neonatal jaundice is the most common morbidity in term infants. Preterm neonates are at even higher risk of developing jaundice requiring treatment. [1] Accurate measurement of bilirubin levels and appropriate therapeutic response are essential to prevent the rise of bilirubin to potentially neurotoxic levels. Clinical assessment of the severity of hyperbilirubinemia is done by inspection of skin for cephalocaudal progression of yellowish discoloration and intensity of “yellowness”. However, due to low sensitivity of the clinical visual assessment, measurement of bilirubin levels by transcutaneous bilirubinometer is the recommended method of screening for detection of significant hyperbilirubinemia. While there are strong evidence-based recommendations about application of transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) for detection of jaundice in term and later preterm neonates, no similar recommendations exist for very preterm neonates. [2] …