Transcutaneous bilirubinometry is an effective, non-invasive alternative for monitoring jaundiceJaundice A common symptom of HDFN, jaundice is caused by excess bilirubin and is characterized by a yellow tint to the skin or eyes. in preterm infants, such as those affected by hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), according to a study recently published in the International Journal of Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Pharma Research.
Jaundice is a condition in which excessive bilirubinBilirubin A yellow substance produced when red blood cells break down. High bilirubin levels in newborns with HDFN can cause jaundice or, in severe cases, brain damage. accumulates in the body, and newborn jaundice is a common pediatric condition. Typically, bilirubin levels are measured by drawing blood from the affected infant. This procedure can be distressing and painful for the newborn. Transcutaneous bilirubinometry is thus seen as an option to measure bilirubin levels in a non-invasive manner.
Transcutaneous bilirubinometry is a procedure in which bilirubin levels are estimated using light wavelengths to analyze the skin’s colorization. Because it is non-invasive, it prevents discomfort and potentially reduces harm associated with invasive blood draws.
A study was conducted to assess how transcutaneous bilirubinometry fared in treating newborns with jaundice. Researchers conducted a study at a neonatal intensive care unit between December 2019 and November 2020 and included preterm infants with signs of jaundice born between 30 and 34 weeks of gestation. They then measured transcutaneous bilirubin and total serum bilirubin levels before, during, and after phototherapyPhototherapy A treatment that uses special blue light to help newborns break down bilirubin and prevent kernicterus..
A total of 100 preterm newborns were included in this study. Before the initiation of phototherapy, the mean transcutaneous bilirubin was higher than the mean serum bilirubin. Further analysis showed that there was a strong positive relationship between transcutaneous and serum bilirubin before phototherapy. During phototherapy, the levels of transcutaneous bilirubin and serum bilirubins were reversed, with mean serum bilirubin levels higher than mean transcutaneous bilirubin levels.
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This study highlighted two key facts: first, there was significant correlation between transcutaneous bilirubinometry and assessments made via a blood draw, meaning that transcutaneous bilirubinometry is a promising non-invasive alternative to measuring bilirubin levels. Second, as for differing levels between the two during phototherapy, this may be caused by the physiological changes affecting skin properties under phototherapy, which can affect the accuracy of transcutaneous measurements.
“While some discrepancies with serum bilirubin levels are noted, particularly during phototherapy, these do not undermine the utility of transcutaneous bilirubinometry,” the authors of the study wrote. “By incorporating transcutaneous bilirubinometry into clinical protocols, healthcare providers can substantially reduce the frequency of invasive blood draws, enhancing patient comfort without compromising accuracy in jaundice management.”
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