[Transcutaneous bilirubinometry and early hospital discharge in low risk newborns with jaundice]

Abstract

Introduction: Discharge soon after birth and beginning of therapeutic interventions in jaundiced newborns depends on the assessment of bilirubin serum levels.

Objective: The comparison between total bilirubin serum levels with transcutaneous bilirubin levels and evaluate utility of a hand held device to measure transcutaneous bilirubin as a diagnostic tool to predict early discharge.

Methodology: Transversal, prolective study. Near simultaneous measurements of serum and transcutaneous bilirubin was undertaken in newborns with birth weight > 2000 grams, gestational age > 36 weeks and extrauterine life under 72 hours.

Results: 100 newborns were enrolled, with birth weight 3,135 +/- 499.9 grams, gestational age of 38.85 +/- 1.4 weeks and 45.46 +/- 1.75 hours of life at the time of bilirubin measurement. Correlation coefficient was 0.81 (p < 0.0001).

Discussion: Predischarge quantification of jaundice by transcutaneous bilirubin should be performed in all healthy newborns. Levels under 4.9 mg/dL within first 24 hours of life and values under 7.9 mg/dL between 48 to 72 hours, were considered safely to allow early discharge in newborns studied.