RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Attempt to improve transcutaneous bilirubinometry: a double-blind study of Medick BiliMed versus Respironics BiliCheck JF Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition JO Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health SP F135 OP F139 DO 10.1136/adc.2007.121053 VO 93 IS 2 A1 De Luca, D A1 Zecca, E A1 Corsello, M A1 Tiberi, E A1 Semeraro, C A1 Romagnoli, C YR 2008 UL http://fn.bmj.com/content/93/2/F135.abstract AB Objectives: To compare the accuracy of a new transcutaneous bilirubinometer, BiliMed (Medick SA, Paris, France) with BiliCheck (Respironics, Marietta, GA, USA), a widely available instrument, and with total serum bilirubin measurement.Design: A prospective double-blind study comparing the two devices was carried out. 686 healthy newborns needing measurement of their bilirubin were enrolled over a 4-month period. Serum and transcutaneous bilirubin measurements were taken with both devices within 15 minutes. The order of use of the instruments was randomised.Setting: Well-baby nursery ward in a university hospital, tertiary referral centre.Results: The linear regression analysis showed a better correlation between BiliCheck and serum bilirubin (r = 0.75) than between BiliMed and serum bilirubin (r = 0.45). BiliCheck variability (±2 SD of the mean bias from serum bilirubin) was within −87.2 to 63.3 μmol/l, while BiliMed variability was within −97.5 to 121.4 μmol/l. The receiver operating characteristic analysis (for serum bilirubin levels >205.2 μmol/l or >239.4 μmol/l) showed significantly higher areas under the curve for BiliCheck than those for BiliMed (p<0.001).Conclusions: Despite the potential practical advantages of BiliMed, its reduced diagnostic accuracy in comparison with BiliCheck does not justify its use in clinical practice.