To: CatLady who wrote (3417 ) 6/23/1998 9:16:00 PM From: Steve Read Replies (1) | Respond to
Read this Janybird, maybe you can send a copy to Dr. Maisels also. There is NO MARKET FOR THIS DEVICE WHICH IS WHY OVER THE PAST YEAR NOT ONE SINGLE HOSPITAL HAS SIGNED ON TO USE IT.csmc.edu No other labwork beyond the type and Coombs' is needed if the medical assessment is negative. Both total serum bilirubin (TSB) and direct bilirubin (fraction conjugated with glucuronic acid) are commonly measured . In-office instruments are available for TSB measurements, but may not be sufficiently accurate in the most important range (over 18 mg/dl).There are several instruments on the market that give transcutaneous bilirubin measurements. These may provide a strategy, in the future, for reliable office and home bilirubin assessments. However, the systems that are now available seem limited in their usefulness, because they must be calibrated to a given laboratory, as well as calibrated for different skin types and colors. (Hence Janybird, you must determine DIRECT and INDIRECT levels) . Most jaundice in infants is not pathologic, but one must carefully consider and exclude pathologic conditions before relaxing vigilance.Jaundice visible in the first 24 hours of life is generally considered "pathologic," (HENCE YOU NEED TO CHECK DIRECT AND INDIRECT) and will be discussed in the last section of this document.
