Prediction and non-invasive assessment of neonatal jaundice in the term healthy newborn infant

The maternal and umbilical cord bilirubin concentration at delivery, a yellow skin colour on the first postnatal day, an increase in the yellow skin colour during the first 24 h of postnatal life, and carbon monoxide excretion are all associated with the later development of neonatal jaundice in the healthy, mature newborn infant. Based on the results from these methods, and especially when the results from two or more of the methods are combined, it is possible to define low- and high-risk groups as far as subsequent jaundice is concerned. If jaundice develops, yellow skin colour measurements can often replace plasma bilirubin determinations. Dependent upon the local current consensus for bilirubin determinations, around 50% of plasma bilirubin determinations can be avoided. Recent research suggests that yellow skin colour measurements may provide information concerning the risk of bilirubin encephalopathy, in addition to their relation to the plasma bilirubin concentration.