We studied the effect of skinfold thickness on the correlation between
serum total bilirubin level and transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) readin
gs. Skinfold thickness measurements were taken at 1-4 h of age. Serum
total bilirubin levels and TcB readings were obtained at 1-4 (first) a
nd 44-56 h of age (discharge). No correlation was found between first
reading and skinfold thickness (rho = -0. 1 96), whereas correlations
with first serum bilirubin level and blood hematocrit were 0.397 and -
0.373, respectively. The correlation between discharge serum total bil
irubin level and TcB reading was affected by skinfold thickness, and n
ot improved with the use of first reading as a reference for discharge
reading.