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 (>= 36 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 (-5.8 to 3.3 mg dl(-1)) and JM-103 system (-5.4 to 6.0 mg dl(-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.