Non-invasive detection of bilirubin concentrations during the first week of life in a low-resource setting along the Thailand-Myanmar border

Abstract Background Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia (NH) is a common problem worldwide and causes morbidity and mortality especially in low-resource settings. Methods A study was carried out at Shoklo Malaria Research Unit clinics along the Thailand-Myanmar border to evaluate a non-invasive test for diagnosis of NH in a low-resource setting. Performance of transcutaneous bilirubinometer Dräger Jaundice Meter JM-105 was assessed against routine capillary serum bilirubin testing before phototherapy during neonatal care in the first week of life. Results were analysed by direct agreement and by various bilirubin thresholds used in clinical practice. Total serum bilirubin was also measured in cord blood at birth and tested for prediction of hyperbilirubinaemia requiring phototherapy in the first week of life. Results Between April 2020 and May 2023, 742 neonates born at SMRU facilities were included in the study. A total of 695 neonates provided 1 to 9 capillary blood samples for analysis of serum bilirubin (total 1244 tests) during the first week of life and performance of the transcutaneous bilirubinometer was assessed in 307 neonates who provided 687 paired transcutaneous-capillary blood tests. Bilirubin levels were also measured in 738 cord blood samples. Adjusted values of the transcutaneous bilirubinometer showed excellent agreement with capillary serum bilirubin concentration (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.923) and high sensitivity (>98%) at all clinical thresholds analysed across three years of sampling and multiple users. Concentrations of bilirubin detected in cord blood were not useful in identifying neonates at risk of hyperbilirubinaemia requiring treatment. Conclusions The transcutaneous bilirubinometer is a reliable tool to screen neonates and identify those needing confirmatory blood testing. Bilirubin concentrations in cord blood are not predictive of hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. Summary box What is already known on this topic Non-invasive detection of bilirubin levels in cord blood and transcutaneously can support better clinical care of neonates at risk of hyperbilirubinaemia, especially in low resources settings. What this study adds This study was the first carried out in neonates of Karen and Burman ethnicity born at the Thailand-Myanmar border. The study provides new data on the performance of a transcutaneous bilirubinometer used by locally trained birth attendants. The results show that cord blood bilirubin levels are not predictive of hyperbilirubinaemia risk in the first days of life. How this study might affect research, practice or policy This study adds to the growing body of knowledge about performance and utility of non-invasive screening tools and diagnostics to improve neonatal health in low-resource settings and LMIC countries.