Transcutaneous bilirubinometers and ethnicity

We read with interest De Luca et al ’s comparison of the Medick BiliMed and Respironics BiliChek transcutaneous bilirubinometers.1 We agree that BiliChek provides a reliable measure of skin bilirubin and it performed well in our ethnically diverse population. However, it is comparatively expensive. Therefore it is important to ask whether an alternative transcutaneous device is of sufficient clinical equivalence to BiliChek. The Konica Minolta JM-103 is such an alternative. The basic device has a similar price tag but does not require disposable tips, which considerably reduces the cost over time. We have compared these two devices and assessed their usefulness in screening for …