Transcutaneous bilirubinometry: clinical application.

Simultaneous estimations of serum and transcutaneous bilirubin were done in 105 healthy, full term, jaundiced newborns. A good correlation was found between the transcutaneous and serum bilirubin values with coefficient of correlation 0.774. The observed sensitivity was 90%, specificity 78% and positive predictive value 64% at mean serum bilirubin concentration of 9.92 mg/dl. Two action levels at transcutaneous bilirubin values 15 and 18 were also generated that correlated with low and high serum bilirubin values; they can therefore be used for screening of jaundiced full term babies. This study indicates that the transcutaneous bilirubin meter is useful for screening of jaundiced neonates.