Specialist Jaundice Testing Equipment for NNUH babies

Thanks to the donation by a Norfolk family, new born premature babies on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at NNUH will benefit from instant non-invasive jaundice testing.

The Drager Jaundice bilirubinometer measures the bilirubin levels in new-borns from 34 weeks old by gently pressing the sensor on the baby’s forehead or sternum. The result is instantly displayed on a screen.  More than half of healthy new-born infants develop jaundice and whereas mild jaundice can improve without medical assistance, in some cases where the bilirubin level is too high this will/may need treatment.

In order to diagnose and decide if jaundice needs treatment, a heel-prick test is done for total serum bilirubin (TSB). The blood is then tested in the laboratory which can take up to two hours before a result is back on the ward.

The new jaundice bilirubinometer provides a reading instantly in a non-invasive way which has good diagnostic accuracy and significantly reduces the number of invasive blood tests .

This is pain-free for the infant, reduces parental anxiety and reduces the workload of clinical and laboratory staff.

Dr Roy, NNUH Consultant Neonatologist said: “We are overjoyed to have purchased one of these for our neonatal intensive care unit. The devices are quicker and easier to use as well as being a big benefit for the nursing staff allowing them to act straightaway if there is a concern.”

The money was raised by Norfolk family Claire and Simon Nicholl whose son Harrison spent time on the neonatal unit. Harrison Alexander Nicholl was born on 5th February 2010 and spent four days on NICU before he passed away on 8th February 2010.

Claire and Simon are dedicated fundraisers previously raising more than £6,000 for a portable end of life ventilator. The family has since raised more money from their annual ‘Harrison’s Ball’ which will go towards the £4,000 cost of the first jaundice meter.

Claire and Simon said: “Harrison spent time on NICU so we wanted to do something for the unit. We’re really pleased we have been able to donate towards such a beneficial piece of equipment.”

Louise Cook, Fundraising Manager at NNUH, said: “We really appreciate the continued support of Claire and Simon and their friends and family. It means so much to us that families remember the care they were given and their donations enable the hospital charity to make a real difference to other patients.”

If you would like to support the hospital charity then please contact Louise Cook on 01603 287107 or email fundraising@nnuh.nhs.uk

Left to right: Dr Roy, Claire Nicholl, Simon Nicholl and NICU Matron Jane Bennett