A Better Way to Non-invasively Measure Bilirubin Levels to Protect Infant Health

Background: Jaundice screening using transcutaneous bilirubin(TcB) monitors often produce inaccurately low results for lighter skin tone newborns and inaccurately high results for darker skin tone newborns. While high jaundice levels for lighter skin tone newborns risk going undetected, darker skin tone newborns receive unnecessary follow up heel sticks for serum bilirubin determination. This is a problem because dangerous jaundice levels may be under or over reported. Additionally, unnecessary heel sticks for darker skin tone newborns increase the risk of complications from puncture and increase newborn discomfort. Performing the heel stick and processing the blood sample also cost nurses and lab technicians valuable resources and time. The purpose of this project is therefore to determine the accuracy of alternative bilirubin screening methods to increase effectiveness of noninvasive bilirubin screening. Literature: Prior TcB monitor research has proven the technologies limitations with varying skin tone. In response, preliminary data describing novel methods of noninvasive bilirubin screening, such as the smartphone screening or wearable bilirubin monitors, have surfaced. Methods: To determine the accuracy and applicability of these methods for a mother/baby unit, the two methods, along-side TcB screening, will be implemented and compared to serum bilirubin levels for newborns of all skin tones. Evaluation: If the new methods of screening are in agreement with the serum bilirubin measurements for all skin tones then the technologies produce accurate results. In addition, nurses and other healthcare providers will be contacted for feedback regarding these two new methods to ensure satisfaction and to address concerns