Comparison of Transcutaneous Bilirubin with Total Serum Bilirubin Levels Before, During, and Post-phototherapy in Preterm and Term Newborns in Uttarakhand, India

Background: Neonatal jaundice, although generally benign, can pose a significant threat to a select number of newborns, potentially resulting in severe brain damage or even death.Objectives: To compare the transcutaneous bilirubin (TCB) with total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels before, during the phototherapy on a covered definite spot of skin and after 2 days of post-phototherapy in preterm and term newborns.Materials and methods: A total of 272 babies, who had jaundice, admitted to NICU of Sahota Superspeciality Hospital, Kashipur, Uttarakhand, India, were enrolled in the study during the period March 2018 to February 2020.Transcutaneous bilirubin and TSB were done in all the babies and compared before starting phototherapy, during phototherapy, and after 48 hours of stopping the phototherapy.Results: Before phototherapy (PT)-TCB showed statistically significant positive correlation with before PT-TSB.During PT-TCB showed statistically significant positive correlation with PT-TSB.After PT-TCB showed statistically significant positive correlation.Bilirubin level measured by TCB and TSB method was statistically significantly comparable before, during, and after PT (p > 0.05). Conclusion:There is a significant positive correlation between TCB and TSB in preterm and term newborns who required phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia, before starting the phototherapy, during phototherapy, and after 48 hours of its stoppage.Clinical significance: Transcutaneous bilirubin is a good tool to do screening for hyperbilirubinemia.TCB can be used as a noninvasive tool to assess bilirubin during and after phototherapy.