Hour-specific nomogram for transcutaneous bilirubin in Japanese neonates

Accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubin level measured by a JM-105 bilirubinometer

BACKGROUND

Transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurement is useful, but dissociation with total serum bilirubin (TSB) is a clinical problem in measurement. We verified the accuracy of the latest version of the JM-105 jaundice meter.

METHODS

The TcB, TSB, and hematocrit (Hct) measurements obtained in the first 4 days of life in 2788 term neonates were analyzed.

RESULTS

When divided into 2-mg/dL classes, the difference between the TcB and TSB measurements did not change as TcB increased, but both overestimation and underestimation of TcB increased as TcB increased. At TcB greater than 11 mg/dL, inaccurate measurements with dissociation greater than 2 mg/dL exceeded 10% of the TcB measurements. The Hct value was associated with overestimation and underestimation.

CONCLUSION

To evaluate neonatal jaundice accurately, it is desirable to measure TSB by blood sampling before discharge from obstetrics or in the case of worsening jaundice on day 4 or 5 of life.

Management challenges in the treatment of severe hyperbilirubinemia in low- and middle-income countries: Encouraging advancements, remaining gaps, and future opportunities

Neonatal jaundice (NJ) is common in newborn infants. Severe NJ (SNJ) has potentially negative neurological sequelae that are largely preventable in high resource settings if timely diagnosis and treatment are provided. Advancements in NJ care in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) have been made over recent years, especially with respect to an emphasis on parental education about the disease and technological advancements for improved diagnosis and treatment. Challenges remain, however, due to lack of routine screening for SNJ risk factors, fragmented medical infrastructure, and lack of culturally appropriate and regionally specific treatment guidelines. This article highlights both encouraging advancements in NJ care as well as remaining gaps. Opportunities are identified for future work in eliminating the gaps in NJ care and preventing death and disability related to SNJ around the globe.

Applicability of the hour of life approach in hyperbilirubinemia among Filipino term infants

BACKGROUND

Hyperbilirubinemia remains a common morbidity among infants. Additional research on bilirubin kinetics and associated risk factors will contribute to providing a more targeted management approach for the Filipino infant.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a Filipino bilirubin nomogram by studying bilirubin patterns during the first 5 days of life.

METHODOLOGY

This prospective study recruited 1,412 stable, full-term infants (≥37 weeks age of gestation) born at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). Using the Dräger-Minolta JM-103 jaundice meter, transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) levels were determined at the 3rd, 6th, 12th, 24th, 36th, 48th, 72nd, 96th, and 120th hour of life (HOL). A bilirubin nomogram was created using the averages of 3 TcB forehead and sternal measurements at each time epoch. Simultaneous measurement of TcB and total serum bilirubin (TsB) on a subset of 106 infants was done to determine correlation.

RESULTS

Correlation coefficients were high between TsB and forehead TcB (r² = 0.88), and between TsB and sternal TcB (r² = 0.91). The Filipino bilirubin nomogram reflected a steep rise until the 48th hour, followed by plateauing of values. Inadequate nursing and bilirubin levels at 12th and 48th HOL were risk factors for developing significant hyperbilirubinemia at 72nd HOL.

CONCLUSION

TcB is a reliable, non-invasive bilirubin screening tool. Among healthy, full-term, Filipino infants, their nomogram features a sudden increase in bilirubin values during the first 48 h, followed by a plateau. To aid in identification of infants at risk for significant hyperbilirubinemia, healthcare providers can assess breastfeeding adequacy and perform bilirubin screening at the 24th-48th HOL. Registration No. (RGAO-2016-0686).

Fetal and neonatal bilirubin metabolism

Human fetal and neonatal bilirubin metabolism is centered on 4Z,15Z-bilirubin IXα (BR) due to the extremely low BR conjugating capacity of the liver. BR is a unique, highly lipophilic substance with physiological and toxic effects in the cell membranes of organs and body tissues. The fetus excretes BR through the placenta to the maternal circulation. After birth, BR is thought to act as an antioxidant against the increase in reactive oxygen species caused by the rapid increase in oxygen concentration during the adaptation process from in amniotic fluid to in air. However, bilirubin encephalopathy is a toxic effect of bilirubin. Due to the lipophilic nature of BR, it must be bound to a carrier to be distributed to various parts of the body by hydrophilic blood. This carrier of BR is human serum albumin (HSA). In humans, BR can be excreted efficiently after undergoing photochemical reactions upon high affinity binding to HSA. HSA also plays an important role in the prevention of bilirubin encephalopathy. This review focuses on the developmental and physiological role of bilirubin metabolism during the fetal and neonatal periods.

Natural history of early neonatal bilirubinemia: a global perspective

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Due to selection bias and other issues, the only available serum bilirubin-based nomogram does not reflect the natural history of early neonatal bilirubinemia. Our objective was to obtain a global picture of the natural history of early post-natal bilirubin trajectories.

STUDY DESIGN

We pooled readings from 19 published transcutaneous bilirubin nomogram reports including many newborns at multiple sites. We constructed a universal transcutaneous bilirubin nomogram which included the 25th, 50th, 75th, and 95th percentiles from 12 to 120 h.

RESULTS

The global transcutaneous bilirubin nomogram included >119,000 readings from 44,392 apparently normal, predominantly breastfed newborns ≥35 weeks gestation. The pooled transcutaneous bilirubin trajectories increased during the first 3 post-natal days, and peaked or plateaued between the 3rd and 4th days.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide the first globally derived transcutaneous bilirubin nomogram that reflects the natural history of early neonatal bilirubinemia in neonates ≥35 weeks gestation.

Accuracy of enhanced transcutaneous bilirubinometry according to various measurement sites

Objective

The goal of the study was to provide missing data on the accuracy of enhanced transcutaneous bilirubinometry in a monoracial population of term neonates, considering three different measurement sites.

Material and Methods

Transcutaneous bilirubin was measured using the JM-105 device on the forehead, chest, and abdomen. Blood sampling for total serum bilirubin concentration has been performed within 10 minutes of transcutaneous measurements. Paired transcutaneous bilirubin and total serum bilirubin measurements were statistically analyzed.

Results

The study group consisted of 102 healthy term Slovak infants. The correlation between total serum bilirubin and transcutaneous bilirubin was significant (coefficient of determination R2: 0.9045 forehead, 0.8808 sternum, 0.8467 abdomen). Transcutaneous measurements underestimated serum bilirubin levels significantly when total serum bilirubin values were higher than 15 mg/dL, irrespective of the site of transcutaneous measurements. The lowest mean difference between total serum bilirubin and transcutaneous bilirubin was identified on the sternum (median: -1.1 mg/dL). The area under the curve was >0.97 and >0.93 for detecting total serum bilirubin levels >10 mg/dL and >13 mg/dL, respectively, for all measurement sites. Transcutaneous measurements on the forehead and sternum provided very high sensitivity, with the best performance at the forehead.

Conclusion

Transcutaneous bilirubinometry using an enhanced device is an accurate, sensitive, and convenient screening method in term Caucasian neonates. Transcutaneous bilirubin measurements on the forehead, sternum, and abdomen are reliable, with the best performance on the forehead. It is necessary to confirm higher transcutaneous bilirubin values with a total serum bilirubin measurement.

Hour-specific nomogram for transcutaneous Bilirubin in newborns in Myanmar

BACKGROUND

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a significant health problem in Myanmar, and the rate of kernicterus is also higher than in developed countries. Non-invasive methods for early detection and treatment of hyperbilirubinemia are urgently needed. In this study, we used transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurements to develop an hour-specific TcB nomogram for the effective management of hyperbilirubinemia in Myanmar newborns.

METHODS

The bilirubin levels of neonates born in Central Women Hospital in Yangon, Myanmar were measured three times a day within 72 h after birth using a transcutaneous bilirubinometer. An hour-specific TcB nomogram was created based on the data.

RESULTS

Participants were 512 infants (287 boys, 225 girls) born in Central Women's Hospital in Yangon. The mean (±SD) gestational age was 38.4 ± 1.2 weeks; birthweight was 3078 ± 412 g. A total of 3,039 plots were obtained, and the TcB nomogram was created with smoothed percentile curves (97.5th, 50th, and 2.5th percentiles) for 0-72 h after birth.

CONCLUSIONS

An hour-specific TcB nomogram was successfully created to manage hyperbilirubinemia in Myanmar newborns.

Prevalence and risk factors for hyperbilirubinemia among newborns from a low-risk birth setting using delayed cord clamping in Japan

AIM

Neonatal jaundice is a common problem among infants. Among the several risk factors are East Asian race and delayed cord clamping. Birth centers manage low-risk term deliveries using physiological management, which may include delayed cord clamping. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of hyperbilirubinemia, a pathological process of jaundice, and its risk factors among neonates born at a Japanese birth center.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study. Data were collected from March 2006 to October 2014 from healthy mothers and neonates at a birth center in a metropolitan area of Japan. Demographic data and background factors of hyperbilirubinemia, including blood and transcutaneous values of jaundice, were collected and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 1,211 neonates analyzed, 4.7% exceeded the standard transcutaneous bilirubin value, and 1.8% needed phototherapy. Multiple logistic regression with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) was used to identify the risk factors of hyperbilirubinemia, which were found to be cephalohematoma (OR = 30.18, 95% CI 5.63-161.69), delay of meconium elimination (OR = 2.66, 95% CI 1.28-5.51), previous history of phototherapy of siblings (OR = 10.28, 95% CI 3.53-29.92), and primiparity (OR = 4.55, 95% CI 2.59-8.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In low-risk Japanese neonates delivered at a birth center expected to practice delayed cord clamping, the rate of neonates requiring phototherapy was not high compared to previous studies, and the identified risk factors of hyperbilirubinemia were related to bilirubin metabolism.

Growth Patterns of Neonates Treated with Thermal Control in Neutral Environment and Nutrition Regulation to Meet Basal Metabolism

Little is known about the growth patterns of low birth weight neonates (<2500 g) during standardized thermal control and nutrition regulation to meet basal metabolism requirements compared to those of non-low birth weight neonates (2500 g and above). We retrospectively identified 10,544 non-low birth weight and 681 low birth weight neonates placed in thermo-controlled incubators for up to 24 h after birth. All neonates were fed a 5% glucose solution 1 h after birth and breastfed every 3 h (with supplementary formula milk if applicable) to meet basal metabolism requirements. Maximum body-weight loss (%), percentage body-weight loss from birth to peak weight loss (%/day), and percentage body-weight gain from peak weight loss to day 4 (%/day) were assessed by multivariable linear regression. Overall, the growth curves showed a uniform J-shape across all birth weight categories, with a low mean maximum body-weight loss (1.9%) and incidence of neonatal jaundice (0.3%). The body-weight loss patterns did not differ between the two groups. However, low birth weight neonates showed significantly faster growth patterns for percentage body-weight gain: β = 0.52 (95% confidence interval, 0.46 to 0.58). Under thermal control and nutrition regulation, low birth weight neonates might not have disadvantages in clinical outcomes or growth patterns.

Transcutaneous bilirubin nomogram for the first 144 hours in Thai neonates

Objectives: To develop an hour-specific transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) nomogram for Thai neonates and to compare the ability of this nomogram with that of Bhutani's total serum bilirubin (TSB) nomogram for prediction of significant hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy.Methods: Healthy Thai neonates, gestational age ≥35-week-gestation and birth weight ≥2000 grams were enrolled. Neonates who could not attend the postdischarge follow-up at our center were excluded. TcB measurements were routinely performed at 6 am and 6 pm using JM103 transcutaneous bilirubinometer until the neonates were discharged or received phototherapy. TcB levels were also measured at least once during 24-72 hours after discharge and thereafter depending on the pediatricians' decision. The nomogram was developed from the TcB data during age 12-144 hours of neonates who did not require phototherapy. The TcB values that obtained predischarge or before receiving phototherapy of all neonates were used to determine the predictive ability of this nomogram and Bhutani's TSB nomogram.Results: A total of 1071 neonates were included. Two hundred forty-one neonates (22.5%) required phototherapy. The nomogram was constructed using 4834 hour-specific TcB values. It provided a good prediction with the area under curve (AUC) of 0.89. The 75th percentile tract revealed sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of 87.1 and 95.4% while that of the 40th percentile tract were 97.9 and 98.5% respectively. When Bhutani's nomogram was used, the AUC was 0.84. The sensitivity and NPV of the 75th percentile tract were 56.4 and 88.2%, and for the 40th percentile tract were 97.1 and 98.0% respectively.Conclusion: The newly developed TcB nomogram revealed slightly better predictive ability than Bhutani's TSB nomogram for term and late preterm Thai neonates who were the population with high prevalence of significant hyperbilirubinemia. The 40th percentile curve of both nomograms should be considered as an appropriate cut-off level for prediction.

Israel transcutaneous bilirubin nomogram predicts significant hyperbilirubinemia

OBJECTIVE

We constructed a transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) nomogram to represent major sectors of the Israeli population. We studied the risk of hyperbilirubinemia, defined as meeting the requirements for phototherapy, per percentile risk category.

STUDY DESIGN

Newborns ⩾36 weeks gestation were tested daily for TcB, using Drager JM-103 devices, during birth hospitalization. A nomogram was constructed and divided into four risk groups and validated by calculating the need for phototherapy for each group.

RESULTS

A total of 3303 measurements were performed on 1059 consecutive newborns including Ashkenazi, Sephardic and mixed Ashkenazi/Sephardic Jews, Arab and Ethiopian Jewish. Phototherapy risk increased progressively and more than 100-fold, from 0/225 in the <40th percentile group through 27/120 (22.5%) for those >95th percentile (relative risk (95% confidence interval) 102 (6 to 1669) for those >95th percentile compared with those <40th percentile). The optimal risk for discriminating the need for phototherapy was >75th percentile (sensitivity 93.33, specificity 59.47).

CONCLUSION

The risk of significant hyperbilirubinemia increased progressively with increasing percentile. Newborns >75th percentile groups are at high risk for phototherapy and should be closely monitored.

Evaluation of BiliCare™ transcutaneous bilirubin device in Japanese newborns

BACKGROUND

Non-invasive transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) monitoring has been widely used to screen for hyperbilirubinemia. TcB measured using the recently developed BiliCare™ system, however, has not been fully evaluated.

METHODS

One hundred and seven TcB measurements were obtained from 82 Japanese newborns ≥35 weeks' gestational age within 2 weeks after birth. Measurements were taken at the scaphoid fossa, conchal cavity, and lobe of the ear using BiliCare. BiliCare TcB were compared with total serum bilirubin (TB) and TcB obtained using another bilirubinometer (JM-105™).

RESULTS

Transcutaneous bilirubin measured at all three sites significantly correlated with TB (r = 0.91, 0.93, and 0.93 at the scaphoid fossa, conchal cavity, and lobe, respectively). The mean differences were 0.1, -0.3, and 3.6 at the scaphoid fossa, conchal cavity, and lobe, respectively. BiliCare TcB at the scaphoid fossa significantly correlated with that using the JM-105 (r = 0.91). The mean difference was 0.0. BiliCare, however, produced a significantly higher and lower TcB than the JM-105 for TB <7 and ≥15 mg/dL, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Transcutaneous bilirubin measurements taken at the scaphoid fossa or conchal cavity using BiliCare were more reliable than those at the earlobe. BiliCare TcB differed from those of the JM-105, for TB <7 or ≥15 mg/dL.

Transcutaneous Bilirubin Levels during the First Month of Life in Term and Late-preterm Newborns

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to develop a transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) nomogram for assessment of the risk of significant hyperbilirubinemia and prolonged jaundice during the first month of life in term and late-preterm Turkish newborns.

METHODS

On the basis of the daily (3rd, 7th, 15th and 30th days) TcB measurements, 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 97th percentiles, and 5 percentile tracks were obtained. TcB measurements were made by a transcutaneous bilirubinometer (JaundiceDetector JH20-1C).

RESULTS

We screened 729 healthy term and late-preterm Turkish infants 3-30 days old and developed a nomogram of TcB levels. TcB level was ≥5 mg/dl in 41.98% and 25.9% of infants at age 15.0  ±  2.1 days and 30.9  ±  2.6 days, respectively. The TcB measurement-based nomogram values of the 97th percentiles (cutoff values) at age 15.0  ±  2.1 and 30.9  ±  2.6 days were 11.4 (10.82-12.13) mg/dl and 10.0 (9.40-10.70) mg/dl, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This nomogram can be used to determine the risk status of Turkish newborns regarding significant hyperbilirubinemia and prolonged jaundice on the basis of TcB measurement in the first month of life.

Transcutaneous bilirubin monitoring predicts unexplained late-onset hemolysis in a very low birthweight infant

Background

In term infants, transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) monitoring can be used to predict hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia. However, it is not clear whether the technique can also be used to predict unexplained late-onset hemolysis in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants.

Case presentation

The case was an infant with a birthweight of 1154 g who developed unexplained late-onset hemolysis at 8 days of age. The hyperbilirubinemia rapidly worsened, and therefore both phototherapy and exchange transfusion were performed. TcB levels were measured using the JM-105 jaundice meter and found to have increased by >3 mg/dL since before the onset, demonstrating for the first time that the device clearly detects changes in hemolytic rate.

Conclusions

Although TcB levels did not correspond directly with total serum bilirubin levels in VLBW infants, the two values exhibited parallel changes in this case. Therefore, serial TcB monitoring may be useful in the early prediction of unexplained late-onset hemolysis in VLBW infants.

An hour-specific transcutaneous bilirubin nomogram for Mongolian neonates

Transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) nomograms have been developed for different populations. However, the TcB level, rate of rise and peak varies among countries and ethnicities. The aim of this study was to establish an hour-specific TcB nomogram for healthy term and late preterm Mongolian neonates during the first 144 h after birth. A total of 5084 TcB measurements from 1297 healthy neonates (gestational age ≥35 weeks, birth weight ≥2000 g) were obtained from October 2012 to October 2013. All measurements were performed using the Jaundice Meter, the JM-103 at 6 to 144 postnatal hours. Mongolian infants had the following characteristics: 27.1 % were delivered by cesarean section, 17.8 % had a birth weight >4000 g, and >90 % were being breastfed. TcB percentiles for each designated time point were calculated for the development of an hour-specific nomogram. TcB levels increased most rapidly in the first 24 h and less rapidly from 24 to 78 h, reaching a plateau after 78 h for the 50th percentile. TcB levels of Mongolian neonates for each time point were higher than those of previous studies.

CONCLUSION

The higher values of the TcB nomogram for Mongolian neonates may be due to their Asian ethnicity and exclusive breastfeeding.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• TcB nomograms for neonatal jaundice screening have been established for many countries and ethnicities. The pattern of the TcB nomogram varies by country and ethnicity. What is New: • A TcB nomogram for neonates of Mongolian ethnicity at 6-144 postnatal hours was created and it had higher values than those in previous studies.

Transcutaneous bilirubinometry

Although the modern era of transcutaneous bilirubin monitoring (TcB) began only about 35 years ago, this screening tool is now widely used in newborn nurseries and outpatient clinics, offices, and emergency departments to obtain a rapid and non-invasive estimate of the degree of hyperbilirubinemia. TcB devices have become more sophisticated, and major breakthroughs include the following: (a) ability to report a bilirubin value rather than an index value, (b) enhanced correction for chromophores other than bilirubin, and (c) technologic improvements including interface with electronic medical records. Good agreement with laboratory bilirubin measurement has been demonstrated, and the ability of TcB screening to predict and decrease the incidence of subsequent hyperbilirubinemia has been well-documented. To date, it has not been shown that this screening results in improved long-term outcomes.

Bilirubin nomograms for identification of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in healthy term and late-preterm infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hyperbilirubinemia occurs in most healthy term and late-preterm infants, and must be monitored to identify those who might develop severe hyperbilirubinemia. Total serum bilirubin (TSB) or transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) nomograms have been developed and validated to identify neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. This study aimed to review previously published studies and compare the TcB nomograms with the TSB nomogram, and to determine if the former has the same predictive value for significant hyperbilirubinemia as TSB nomogram does.

METHODS

A predefined search strategy and inclusion criteria were set up. We selected studies assessing the predictive ability of TSB/TcB nomograms to identify significant hyperbilirubinemia in healthy term and late-preterm infants. Two independent reviewers assessed the quality and extracted the data from the included studies. Meta-Disc 1.4 analysis software was used to calculate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio of TcB/TSB nomograms. A pooled summary of the receiver operating characteristic of the TcB/TSB nomograms was created.

RESULTS

After screening 187 publications from electronic database searches and reference lists of eligible articles, we included 14 studies in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Eleven studies were of medium methodological quality. The remaining three studies were of low methodological quality. Seven studies evaluated the TcB nomograms, and seven studies assessed TSB nomograms. There were no differences between the predictive abilities of the TSB and TcB nomograms (the pooled area under curve was 0.819 vs. 0.817).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that TcB nomograms had the same predictive value as TSB nomograms, both of which could be used to identify subsequent significant hyperbilirubinemia. But this result should be interpreted cautiously because some methodological limitations of these included studies were identified in this review.