ABSTRACT
Three hundred twenty two transcutaneous bilirubin measurements (TcBM) were performed in 124 Chinese newborns with hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice in evidence. The effect of pathologic factors on the relationship between TcBM readings and total serum bilirubin (SB) levels was analyzed by multiple regression. The results of regression showed that the relationship between TcBM readings and total SB levels was affected by anemia, phototherapy, ABO and Ph hemolytic disease, and premature. Multiple stepwise regression showed that, after adjusting for each other, anemia, phototherapy and Rh hemolytic disease were the significant factors affecting the relationship between the TcBM readings and total SB levels. A practical multiple regression equation for estimation of total SB levels through TcBM readings considering the significant pathologic factors was suggested.
