Transcutaneous bilirubin measurement: comparison of Respironics BiliCheck and JM-103 in a normal newborn population.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the accuracy of BiliCheck™ (Respironics, Marietta, GA) and Konica-Minolta Air Shield JM-103 (Drager Medical Inc, Telford, PA) to evaluate total serum bilirubin (TSB).

METHODS

Prospective blinded study comparing two diagnostic devices in 630 neonates requiring TSB measurement.

RESULTS

Linear regression analysis showed a good correlation between BiliCheck™ and TSB (r=0.8212) as well as between JM-103 and TSB (r=0.8686). BiliCheck shows a tendency to underestimate TSB. The mean difference in TSB-TcB was -1.4 mg/dL for BC (-4.7/+1.8 mg/dL) and 0.3 mg/dL for JM-103 (-2.6/+3.2mg/dL). ROC analysis for TSB≥ 12 mg/dL showed area under the curve for BiliCheck™ significantly lower than those for JM-103 (p<0.0001). JM-103 resulted less time expensive than BiliCheck.

CONCLUSIONS

In spite of similar diagnostic accuracy JM-103 could be preferred for some practical advantages, but its suitability in performing universal screening for severe hyperbilirubinemia deserves further investigations.