Quality standard
Quality statement 2: Measurement of bilirubin level in babies more than 24 hours old
Quality statement 2: Measurement of bilirubin level in babies more than 24 hours old
Quality statement
Babies with suspected jaundice who are more than 24 hours old have their bilirubin level measured within 6 hours of a healthcare professional suspecting jaundice or a parent or carer reporting possible jaundice.
Rationale
Visual inspection is used to recognise jaundice but is not very good for assessing the clinical severity of the jaundice. Although bilirubin should not be measured routinely in babies who are not visibly jaundiced, measuring bilirubin levels in babies with suspected or obvious visible jaundice assesses the degree of jaundice and determines whether the baby needs further investigations or treatment. Measuring the bilirubin level as soon as possible (within 6 hours) in babies with suspected jaundice will ensure that those with rapidly rising bilirubin levels are identified promptly for treatment. Bilirubin can be measured by taking a blood sample (serum bilirubin) or, within defined circumstances (see the definitions section), using a transcutaneous bilirubinometer (followed by a blood test if needed). Transcutaneous bilirubinometers, although not as accurate as measuring serum bilirubin, are more accurate than visual inspection alone, are non-invasive, can be used in the community and provide instant results.
Quality measures
Structure
Evidence of local protocols and adequate access to bilirubin measurement, to ensure that babies with suspected jaundice who are more than 24 hours old have their bilirubin level measured within 6 hours of a healthcare professional suspecting jaundice or a parent or carer reporting possible jaundice.
Data source: Local data collection.
Process
a) Proportion of babies with suspected jaundice who are more than 24 hours old who have their bilirubin level measured.
Numerator – the number in the denominator having their bilirubin level measured.
Denominator – the number of babies with suspected jaundice who are more than 24 hours old.
Data source: Local data collection.
b) Proportion of babies with suspected jaundice who are more than 24 hours old who have their bilirubin level measured within 6 hours of a healthcare professional suspecting jaundice or a parent or carer reporting possible jaundice.
Numerator – the number in the denominator having their bilirubin level measured within 6 hours of a healthcare professional suspecting jaundice or a parent or carer reporting possible jaundice.
Denominator – the number of babies with suspected jaundice who are more than 24 hours old who have had their bilirubin measured.
Data source: Local data collection.
What the quality statement means for different audiences
Service providers ensure adequate access to bilirubin measurement and have local education and protocols in place that enable healthcare professionals to measure, within 6 hours, bilirubin levels in babies with suspected jaundice who are more than 24 hours old.
Healthcare professionals ensure that they measure, within 6 hours, bilirubin levels in babies with suspected jaundice who are more than 24 hours old.
Commissioners ensure that they commission services with adequate access to bilirubin measurement that enable healthcare professionals to measure, within 6 hours, bilirubin levels in babies with suspected jaundice who are more than 24 hours old.
Babies with suspected jaundice who are more than 24 hours old have their bilirubin level measured within 6 hours of the possible jaundice being noted (bilirubin is the substance that causes the yellow colour seen in jaundice). This may be done by a healthcare professional at the baby's home, but it may need to be done at a hospital.
Source guidance
Jaundice in newborn babies under 28 days. NICE guideline CG98 (2010, updated 2016), recommendations 1.2.14 and 1.2.16
Definitions of terms used in this quality statement
Measurement of bilirubin level
When measuring the bilirubin level in babies more than 24 hours old:
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use a transcutaneous bilirubinometer in babies with a gestational age of 35 weeks or more (always use serum bilirubin measurement to determine the bilirubin level in babies less than 35 weeks' gestational age)
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if a transcutaneous bilirubinometer is not available, measure the serum bilirubin
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if a transcutaneous bilirubinometer measurement indicates a bilirubin level greater than 250 micromol/litre check the result by measuring the serum bilirubin
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always use serum bilirubin measurement for babies at or above the relevant treatment thresholds for their postnatal age, and for all subsequent measurements
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do not use an icterometer.
Note that there is variability between assays from different manufacturers in reported bilirubin measurement. Healthcare professionals should consult their local pathology laboratory when interpreting threshold tables or charts. [Adapted from NICE's guideline on jaundice in newborn babies, recommendation 1.2.15, 1.2.16 and 1.2.17]
Equality and diversity considerations
Some parents or carers may find it difficult to access postnatal care for their baby after discharge from hospital; for example, they may be unable to afford to travel to their local clinic or hospital. This quality statement focuses on the period after the initial 24 hours after birth (and so in many cases after discharge from hospital). It promotes equitable access to postnatal care by making reference to the use (where clinically indicated) of transcutaneous bilirubinometers, which can be used in the community.