The Use of Icterometer in Assessing Neonatal Jaundice

Abstract

A study was made to assess neonatal jaundice by icterometer compared with serum bilirubin concentration, which was determined by Mercko photometric test, on 98 newborns with jaundice born in the Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, throughout October 1975 until March 1976. A good correlation between bilirubin concentration as determined by the icterometer and actual serum bilirubin concentration was found, so that the icterometer could be used in Indonesian newborns. None of the icterometer values grade 3 or less had actual serum bilirubin concentrations more than 15 mg.%, so that grade 3 or less did not necessarily require additional serum bilirubin determination. On the contrary 46.7% and 81.8% of newborns with icterometer values of grades 3½ and 4 respectively have bilirubin concentrations more than 15 mg.%. Therefore, grade 3½ or more required further photometric bilirubin determination with a view to possible treatment.