1. Measuring End-Tidal Carbon Monoxide of Jaundiced Neonates in the Birth Hospital to Identify Those with Hemolysis.
- Author
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Christensen RD, Malleske DT, Lambert DK, Baer VL, Prchal JT, Denson LE, Gerday E, Weaver Lewis KA, and Shepherd JG
- Subjects
- Birthing Centers, Breath Tests, Female, Hematologic Tests, Heme analysis, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Male, Prospective Studies, United States, Bilirubin blood, Carbon Monoxide analysis, Hemolysis, Hyperbilirubinemia diagnosis, Jaundice, Neonatal diagnosis
- Abstract
Background: End-tidal breath carbon monoxide (ETCOc) levels correlate with catabolism of heme, but until recently, this measurement was not readily available for application to neonatology practice., Objectives: We performed a prospective, multihospital, test-of-concept study where ETCOc was measured during the birth hospitalization of neonates with a total bilirubin (TB) value >75th percentile on the Bhutani bilirubin nomogram. This was done to test the feasibility and ease of use of this new device., Methods: Neonates with an elevated ETCOc (with a >95th percentile reference interval previously established) were labeled as having 'hemolytic jaundice'. We recommended a follow-up TB check <24 h after hospital discharge to these families., Results: One hundred and fifteen neonates were eligible for the study, the parents of 103 provided consent, and measurements were obtained for 100. Sixty-three had normal and 37 had elevated ETCOc values. By means of a direct antiglobulin test (DAT; Coombs), 11 of these 37 were found positive for ABO hemolytic disease; the remaining 26 had other etiologies. Thirty-six of the 37 with an elevated ETCOc had repeat TB monitoring <24 h after discharge home. None of the 100 were rehospitalized for jaundice treatment compared with a rate of 2.99 rehospitalizations per 100 control neonates who had a TB value >75th percentile (p = 0.079)., Conclusion: ETCOc measurement is a feasible means of assessing hemolysis in jaundiced neonates during the birth hospitalization. When hemolysis is identified, parents are likely to comply with instructions to bring the infant for a TB checkup <24 h after discharge home., (© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.)
- Published
- 2016
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