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Are They Really Different?

Garth I. Leslie, MB, BS, BSc (Med), FRACP; Joseph B. Philips III, MD; George Cassady, MD

Am J Dis Child. 1987;141(11):1199-1200.

Abstract
• We measured total serum bilirubin values in paired capillary and venous samples from 79 untreated jaundiced newborn infants (group 1) and in 29 infants who were receiving phototherapy (group 2). While bilirubin values from the two sites correlated significantly for both groups, capillary samples underestimated venous bilirubin values when the latter exceeded 170 µmol/L (10 mg/dL) (mean and 95% confidence limits: group 1, –15.1 µmol/L [–0.9 mg/dL] and –24.7 to –5.5 µmol/L [–1 to –0.3 mg/dL]; group 2, –10.3 µmol/L [–0.6 mg/dL] and –17.1 to –3.4 µmol/L [–1 to –0.2 mg/dL]). Furthermore, capillary samples underestimated venous bilirubin levels by more than 17 µmol/L (1 mg/dL) in eight of 16 group 1 patients and five of 18 group 2 patients when venous bilirubin values exceeded 170 µmol/L (10 mg/dL). Lower capillary values at higher bilirubin levels might be due to the influence of environmental light. As clinical treatment decisions may be made on the basis of differences in serum bilirubin level of about 17 µmol/L (1 mg/dL) and as capillary samples may underestimate venous bilirubin levels by a similar amount, it may be prudent to measure venous rather than capillary bilirubin levels when the total serum bilirubin level exceeds 170 µmol/L (10 mg/dL).

(AJDC 1987;141:1199-1200)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Perinatal Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication June 22, 1987.

Reprint requests to 525 NHB, University Hospital, UAB Medical Center, University Station, Birmingham, AL 35294 (Dr Cassady).

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