Neonatal serum bilirubin measurements in New Zealand

Surveys of paediatric bilirubin analyses in New Zealand hospital laboratories in 1982 and 1986 are described. In both surveys, an unacceptably high interlaboratory variation was found. In 1986, two laboratory groups, each with an established interlaboratory quality control programme, produced significantly better results than those without such a programme. A national interlaboratory neonatal bilirubin quality control programme is advocated.