RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To examine transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) levels in late preterm neonates. STUDY DESIGN: Between July 2006 and December 2009, we performed 4387 TcB measurements with a BiliCheck bilirubinometer in 793 healthy late preterm neonates at designated times up to 120 postnatal hours. TcB percentiles are presented on an hour-specific nomogram. Mean increment TcB rates and the rates of increase for different percentiles are calculated as well. RESULTS: We present a percentile-based nomogram that reflects the natural history of TcB in late preterm neonates up to the fifth day of life. TcB levels demonstrated a different pattern of increase in neonates who developed significant hyperbilirubinemia compared with those who did not. However, the rates of TcB increase were quite similar up to age 48 hours, with a substantial overlap of TcB values between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We developed of a TcB nomogram designated for hour-specific evaluation of hyperbilirubinemia in neonates born between 35(0/7) and 37(6/7) weeks' gestation.