The prediction of phototherapy by early postnatal ETCOc in Chinese newborns

Ge Yang1, Li Deng1, Kun Zhang1

  • 1Division of Neonatology and Center for Newborn Care, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No. 9 Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510623, China.

BMC Pediatrics
|November 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Early postnatal end-tidal carbon monoxide (ETCOc) levels predict the need for phototherapy in newborns with hyperbilirubinemia. Higher ETCOc indicates an increased risk and characteristics of phototherapy within 7 days of life.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • The clinical significance of early postnatal end-tidal carbon monoxide (ETCOc) in predicting phototherapy (PT) for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia requires further characterization.
  • Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a common condition requiring timely intervention to prevent complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between early postnatal ETCOc and the risk of PT within 7 days of life (7 DOLs).
  • To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ETCOc in predicting the need for PT.

Main Methods:

  • Secondary analysis of infants from the HEME trial control group.
  • Multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze the association between ETCOc and PT, adjusting for relevant covariates.
  • Diagnostic parameters including sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Early postnatal ETCOc was significantly associated with an increased odds of PT (2.98-fold).
  • Each one-unit increment in ETCOc correlated with earlier initiation, longer duration, and more courses of PT.
  • ETCOc demonstrated a sensitivity of 65.4-87.5% and specificity of 71.7-75.8% for predicting PT, with AUCs ranging from 0.732-0.880.

Conclusions:

  • Higher early postnatal ETCOc levels are linked to an increased risk and characteristics of PT within 7 DOLs.
  • Early postnatal ETCOc serves as a valuable indicator for predicting PT in the early postnatal period.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos