Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2005

Mentor: Gregory L. Jackson, M.D., M.B.A.
Department: Pediatrics
Room number: Newborn Nursery, Parkland Memorial Hospital
Mail Code: 9063
Phone number: (214) 590-8034
E-mail: greg.jackson@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Can early (age less than 5 hours) transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) level predict future risk for significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy by AAP guidelines or special follow-up (neonates who fall in high-intermediate and high-risk zones, as defined in PMH Newborn Nursery guidelines)?

Human subjects IRB approved project number: in-process

Project Type (patient-based research)

Brief Description of Project: Prediction of those babies who progress to hyperbilirubinemia is challenging in the age of early newborn hospital discharge. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published new clinical practice guidelines with an hour-specific nomogram based on data from 18 hours of age onward. The AAP suggests that a transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurement is equivalent to a total serum bilirubin.
This project would measure TcB at 3-5 hours of age, again 24 hours later, and follow the infant until discharge for evidence of problems with jaundice. The infant would also be seen by the medical student in follow-up at 3-4 days of age for a repeat TcB determination. The initial TcB determination would be compared to both the TcB reading at 24 hours and 3-4 days of age.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

Doris Duke Fellowship (Holly Barko) 2004-2005

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