Correlation between transcutaneous bilirubinometry and serum bilirubin in newborns ≥ 35 weeks

Clinical control and monitoring of bilirubin in the neonatal stage are essential to avoid toxicity in the central nervous system. to determine the correlation between transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) and total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels in newborns ≥ 35 weeks. observational, cross-sectional, analytical, retrospective study that included 90 neonates of gestational age ≥ 35 weeks with mucocutaneous jaundice who underwent TcB and TSB measurement simultaneously between June 1, 2022, and January 31, 2023. Both variables were compared, determining their correlation. the validity indicators were analyzed, obtaining 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value. The mean of TcB determinations was 14.84 mg/dl ± 2.27 and that of TSB was 13.1 mg/dl ± 2.39. The correlation obtained indicates that both variables are related, which is a direct correlation and, according to the prediction equation, there is an appropriate correlation between them. It was determined that TcB overestimated TSB in 95.56% of the determinations, and underestimated TSB in the rest (4.44%). Simultaneous measurements of TcB and TSB were different in all determinations with a mean difference of 1.72 ± 1.48. the non-invasive TcB method can be used as an initial screening tool for the neonatal population ≥ 35 weeks, given its adequate sensitivity and negative predictive value.