Evaluation of Minolta jaundicemeter and icterometer for assessment of neonatal jaundice

Neonatal jaundice is an important disorder, because of its potential complication of kernicterus. Biochemical estimation of bilirubin can be unreliable with lots of interpersonal and interlaboratory variability. Minolta jaundicemeter and perspex icterometer were evaluated for their usefulness in assessment of neonatal jaundice. Thirty premature babies with hyperbilirubinemia were simultaneously studied with jaundicemeter, icterometer and their plasma bilirubin were estimated by AO Bilirubinometer. Babies were subdivided into three groups, viz., Group I upto 1500 g birth weight, Group II 1501-2500 g with gestation 33-34 weeks and Group III 1501-2500 g with gestation 35-36 weeks. There was a good correlation between minolta Jaundicemeter and plasma bilirubin with 'r' values of 0.84, 0.89 and 0.72 in Groups I, II and III, respectively. Except for Group III (r = 0.67), good correlation was found between icterometer and plasma bilirubin with 'r' value of 0.84 and 0.82 in Groups I and II, respectively.