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A comparison of transcutaneous bilirubinometers: SpectRx BiliCheck versus Minolta AirShields

Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9YW, Scotland, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Wong, Neonatal Unit (Ward 110), Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, Scotland, UK;
mae.wong{at}luht.scot.nhs.uk

Background: Two devices are available for making transcutaneous estimates of serum bilirubin (SBR): the Minolta AirShields JM102 and the new SpectRx BiliCheck.

Objectives: (a) To measure how well the readings produced by these devices agree with SBR measured in the laboratory; (b) to estimate for each device, the proportion of infants with clinical jaundice who would require blood sampling if the device was used as a screening tool to detect infants with SBR 250 µmol/l.

Design: Prospective cohort study of jaundiced infants who required SBR at 20 days of postnatal age. Those who had received phototherapy or exchange transfusion were excluded.

Setting: Tertiary neonatal service in South-East Scotland.

Interventions: Within 30 minutes of SBR sampling, transcutaneous bilirubinometry was performed using one Minolta and two SpectRx devices (designated A and B).

Results: Sixty four neonates were enrolled, 19 of which were preterm (31–35 weeks). The 95% confidence intervals of a device reading corresponding to SBR were ± 66.7, ± 67.9, and ± 66.4 µmol/l respectively. Using the devices to identify all SBR 250 µmol/l would reduce SBR sampling by 23%, 16%, and 20% respectively.

Conclusions: Given that SBR levels range from 50 to 400 µmol/l in jaundiced infants, the 95% confidence intervals of the devices are wide at ± 67 µmol/l. The SpectRx can be used as a screening tool for hyperbilirubinaemia but there is no advantage in using it over the Minolta.

Keywords: jaundice; hyperbilirubinaemia; screening; transcutaneous bilirubinometry

Abbreviations: SBR, serum bilirubin; TcB, transcutaneous bilirubinometry; HPLC, high performance liquid chromatography

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