Table 2.

Pooled Sensitivity and Specificity of Cord Blood Bilirubin in Predicting the Need for Phototherapy.

Risk group	Cord bilirubin cut-off	No of studies and no of participants	Sensitivity (95% confidence interval)	Specificity (95% confidence interval)	Diagnostic odds ratio (95% confidence interval)	Post-test probability for an abnormal resulta	Post-test probability for a normal resulta
All neonatesb	<1.5 mg/dl	4; 13,070	0.96 (0.7–0.996)	0.32 (0.13–0.59)	11.3 (9.63–37.2)	14% (13%–14%)	1% (1%–4%)
All neonatesb	1.51–2.0 mg/dl	13; 15,005	0.8 (0.72–0.86)	0.73 (0.65–0.79)	10.8 (9.66–11.4)	25% (22%–28%)	3% (2%–4%)
All neonatesb	2.01–2.5 mg/dl	7; 2999	0.55 (0.34–0.75)	0.89 (0.76–0.95)	9.84 (9.8–9.92)	36% (30%–42%)	5% (4%–7%)
All neonatesb	2.51–3.0 mg/dl	5; 13,420	0.31 (0.18–0.47)	0.98 (0.96–0.99)	22.5 (21.1–22.9)	62% (50%–75%)	7% (6%–8%)
All neonatesb	>3.0 mg/dl	4; 11,860	0.11 (0.03–0.34)	0.999 (0.95–1)	124 (31–∞)	92% (59%–99%)	9% (8%–10%)
High riskc	Below 1.5 mg/dl	3; 1159	0.97 (0.83–1)	0.29 (0.08–0.66)	13.2 (9.48–∞)	13% (13%–14%)	1% (0–3%)
High riskc	1.51–2.0 mg/dl	8; 3091	0.9 (0.81–0.95)	0.55 (0.33–0.75)	10.98 (9.46–12.91)	18% (17%–20%)	2% (1%–4%)
High riskc	2.01–2.5 mg/dl	7; 1210	0.84 (0.67–0.93)	0.92 (0.82–0.96)	60.3 (48.8–60.9)	55% (48%–59%)	2% (1%–3%)
High riskc	2.51–3.0 mg/dl	4; 924	0.8 (0.39–0.96)	0.95 (0.78–0.99)	75.5 (63–85.7)	64% (57%–71%)	2% (2%–3%)
Low riskd	1.51–2.0 mg/dl	11; 3441	0.89 (0.77–0.95)	0.77 (0.58–0.89)	26.97 (26.24–27)	30% (27%–33%)	2% (1%–3%)
Low riskd	2.01–2.5 mg/dl	13; 3996	0.79 (0.64–0.88)	0.89 (0.74–0.95)	30.3 (20.94–33.58)	44% (39%–50%)	3% (2%–4%)
Low riskd	2.51–3.0 mg/dl	10; 2886	0.74 (0.39–0.93)	0.97 (0.91–0.99)	91.9 (64–134.14)	74% (65%–80%)	3% (2%–4%)

^aThe probabilities are calculated at a prevalence of 10%.

^bStudies including all neonates without stratifying their risk for jaundice.

^cStudies including only neonates at risk for blood group incompatibility.

^dStudies including only low risk neonates (excluded those with blood group incompatibility).