Effect of blood sampling site on measurements of bilirubin-albumin binding

Significant arterio-venous concentration gradients in metabolites such as lactate could result in sampling site differences in bilirubin binding measurements. Therefore, total bilirubin and apparent unbound bilirubin concentrations were determined on paired capillary and arterial serum samples from ten neonates with hyaline membrane disease. There were no significant arterial versus capillary differences in bilirubin binding in these infants. However, a small, statistically significant but clinically irrelevant, difference in total bilirubin concentration was found. Consistent blood sampling sites should be used for laboratory tests where arterial, venous, and capillary results differ or could conceivably differ.