Transcutaneous bilirubin measurement: Comparison of Respironics BiliCheck and JM-103 in a normal newborn population

OBJECTIVES: To compare the accuracy of BiliCheck™ (Respironics, Marietta, GA) and Konica-Minolta Air Shield JM-103 (Drager Medical Inc, Telford, PA) to evaluate total serum bilirubin (TSB). METHODS: Prospective blinded study comparing two diagnostic devices in 630 neonates requiring TSB measurement. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis showed a good correlation between BiliCheck™ and TSB (r=0.8212) as well as between JM-103 and TSB (r=0.8686). BiliCheck shows a tendency to underestimate TSB. The mean difference in TSB-TcB was -1.4 mg/dL for BC (-4.7/+1.8 mg/dL) and 0.3 mg/dL for JM-103 (-2.6/+3.2mg/dL). ROC analysis for TSB≥ 12 mg/dL showed area under the curve for BiliCheck™ significantly lower than those for JM-103 (p<0.0001). JM-103 resulted less time expensive than BiliCheck. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of similar diagnostic accuracy JM-103 could be preferred for some practical advantages, but its suitability in performing universal screening for severe hyperbilirubinemia deserves further investigations.