Assessment of neonatal jaundice in low birth weight infants comparing transcutaneous, capillary and arterial bilirubin levels.
Total serum bilirubin level was assessed in a group of jaundiced low birth weight infants using three different methods. Transcutaneous bilirubinometry was compared with conventional capillary and arterial methods to investigate the over-or underestimation of neonatal jaundice. Sampling site did not influence bilirubin levels. Capillary and arterial results showed a linear correlation (r = 0.9) suggesting no influence of environmental light on peripheral bilirubin isomerization. Similar results were obtained comparing both serum levels with transcutaneous values (r = 0.7). We conclude that treatment decisions may be made on the basis of one of the three mentioned methods in healthy low birth weight infants with neonatal jaundice.
Amato
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Universitäts-Frauenklinik, Berne, Switzerland.
Huppi
P
P
Markus
D
D
D001158:Arteries; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood*; D002196:Capillaries; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin
D001663:Bilirubin