Background: Neonatal jaundice is a very common condition in neonates. Serum bilirubin measurement in neonates is invasive and increases the risk of infection. Therefore, recognizing the highly accurate noninvasive methods has been considered by the researchers. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the transcutaneous and serum bilirubin before and during phototherapy in icteric neonates.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted on 200 icteric term neonates (age 1-7 days) referred to Kashan Shahid-Beheshti hospital from July 2010 to January 2011. Blood and transcutaneous bilirubin samples were taken from the forehead and sternum of the neonates on admission and 8 hours after phototherapy. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results: Among 200 neonates, 102 were female and 98 male (mean age, 4.5±1.7 days). There was a significant correlation between the serum bilirubin before phototherapy and forehead transcutaneous bilirubin (r=0.83) and with sternum transcutaneous bilirubin (r=0.71, P0.001). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the serum bilirubin after phototherapy and forehead transcutaneous bilirubin (r=0.76) and sternum transcutaneous bilirubin (r=0.49, P0.001).

Conclusion: Transcutaneous bilirubinometery is a suitable alternative in measuring serum bilirubin in term icteric neonates who need treatment. Transcutaneous bilirubinometery especially through forehead can be used for screening of icteric neonates and their follow-up during phototherapy.