Point-of-Care Bilirubin Testing in Neonates: Comparative Performance of Blood Gas Analysis and Transcutaneous Bilirubinometry

Abstract

Highlights: What are the main findings? Blood gas analyser bilirubin showed stronger agreement with central laboratory serum bilirubin (R2 = 0.88) than transcutaneous bilirubinometry (R2 = 0.43), with blood gas analyser maintaining accuracy regardless of pre- vs. post-phototherapy or haemoglobin levels. Transcutaneous bilirubinometry accuracy significantly reduced post-phototherapy and showed reduced predictive value in darker-skinned neonates (Fitzpatrick III–VI), while the blood gas analyser demonstrated superior diagnostic performance with a diagnostic odds ratio of 47.5. What is the implication of the main findings? Blood gas analysers represent a more reliable point-of-care alternative ..