Total serum bilirubin (TSB) represents the total amount of circulating bilirubin. In transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TCB), the bilirubinometer is pressed against the skin causing pallor, and bilirubin levels are measured. The aim was to describe the relationship between serum UB(unbound bilirubin) and TcB in late preterm jaundiced neonates. This prospective case controlled study was conducted on 100 patients. Group (I) : Included 50 hyperbilirubinemic preterm neonates. Group (II) :Included 50 healthy preterm neonates as control group. All neonates were subjected to complete history taking, clinical examination and laboratory investigations TCB, UB,TSB and albumin. Jaundiced preterm neonates were significantly associated with high TSB, TSB/albumin when compared to healthy preterm neonates. Jaundiced preterm neonates showed significantly higher UB /TSB when compared to healthy preterm neonates. Best cut off value of UB was 0.24 ug/dL, at which Sensitivity was 94%, specificity was 68%. TCB Best cut off value was 2.5 mg/dL, at which Sensitivity was 66%, specificity was 98%. No significant differences were found between AUC of UB and TCB . A high correlation between TCB and TSB measurements. ROC curve of UB and TCB was conducted for discrimination between jaundiced and healthy preterm neonates. UB showed good AUC. |
