Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Bilirubin Measurement Through a Smartphone Application in Preterm Infants
Huseyin Ustun1, Mehmet Yekta Oncel2, Melike Kefeli3
1Neonatology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital Clinics, Konak, Turkey.
Insights
A smartphone app (BiliScan) offers a feasible, non-invasive method for monitoring infant jaundice. While reliable for term infants, its moderate correlation in preterm infants requires cautious interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Medical Technology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Neonatal jaundice is a common condition requiring monitoring.
- Accurate bilirubin level assessment is crucial for preventing complications in newborns.
- Traditional methods can be invasive and resource-intensive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and reliability of a smartphone application for monitoring bilirubin levels in preterm infants.
- To compare smartphone-based measurements with standard clinical methods.
Main Methods:
- A smartphone application (BiliScan) was used to measure bilirubin levels in preterm infants (<35 weeks gestational age).
- Measurements were simultaneously obtained using a transcutaneous device (Dräger JM 105) and venous blood biochemistry.
- Infants requiring phototherapy in the preceding 12 hours were excluded.
Main Results:
- A strong positive correlation (ICC=0.915) was observed between total serum bilirubin (TSB) and transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurements.
- A moderate correlation (ICC=0.512) was found between TSB and BiliScan measurements.
- BiliScan demonstrated a moderate correlation in preterm infants, unlike its reported high correlation in term infants.
Conclusions:
- The smartphone application (BiliScan) presents a potentially low-cost, non-invasive alternative for neonatal jaundice monitoring.
- While feasible, the moderate correlation in preterm infants necessitates cautious interpretation of results.
- Further validation is recommended for widespread clinical adoption in preterm populations.
Backround:
Aim of the present study is to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of an smartphone application for monitore of bilirubin levels in preterm infants.
Methods:
Preterm infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit with gestational age of<35 weeks were included. Exclusion criteria were parental reluctance and requirement of phototherapy in the last 12 hours. Measurements were obtained through a smartphone application (BiliScan) along with simultaneous transcutaneous device (Dräger JM 105) and venous blood biochemistry.
Results:
Mean gestational age was 30.8±2.4 weeks and birth weight was 1622±566 g. Measurements were obtained at a median of 4 (1-21) days of life. Twenty-five infants (19.4%) had ABO and/or Rh incompatibility and 39 infants (30.2%) required phototherapy. None of the cases required exchange transfusion. Mean total serum bilirubin (TSB) level was 8.16±2.60 mg/dL, mean transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) level was 8.60±2.70 mg/dL, and the mean bilirubin level measured by BiliScan was 7.26±2.68 mg/dL. For TSB and TcB measurements, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was found to be 0.915 (95% confidence interval 0.835-0.951; p<0.001) and a strong positive correlation was found between these two measurements. When TSB and BiliScan measurements were compared, ICC was found to be significant as 0.512 (95% confidence interval 0.353-0.638; p<0.001), with a moderate correlation.
Conclusions:
In this study, we evaluated the feasibility and reliability of a smartphone application for monitoring bilirubin levels in preterm infants. Although BiliScan measurements reported to display high correlation in term infants, a moderate correlation was found in the preterm infants. It is an emerging low-cost, non-invasive alternative for neonatal jaundice monitoring, however, results should be interpreted with caution in preterm infants.
