Comparison between Bilistick System and transcutaneous bilirubin in assessing total bilirubin serum concentration in jaundiced newborns

Objective:To compare the performance and accuracy of the JM-103 transcutaneous bilirubinometer and Bilistick System in measuring total serum bilirubin for the early identification of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.Study Design:The study was performed on 126 consecutive term and near-term (â(c) 3/436 weeks' gestational age) jaundiced newborns in Cairo University Children Hospital NICU, Egypt. Total serum bilirubin was assayed concurrently by the clinical laboratory and Bilistick System and estimated using the JM-103 transcutaneous bilirubin instrument. Bland-Altman analysis was used to evaluate the agreement between determinations.Result:The limits of agreement of the Bilistick System (â '5.8 to 3.3 mg dl-1) and JM-103 system (-5.4 to 6.0 mg dl â '1) versus the clinical laboratory results were similar.Conclusion:The Bilistick System is an accurate alternative to transcutaneous (TcB) determination for early diagnosis and proper management of the neonatal jaundice.