a couple of people have asked, and an icterometer is a small hand held device
for estimating bilirubin. it is a small clear piece of probably plastic with
five yellow strips, and a little chart. you take the baby to a sunny window
and press this against their skin and look at the chart to get a bilirubin.
the reason i carry this is, i don't work in a clinical setting where i see
many, many babies. i can't really "guesstimate" bilirubin. i bet pat could
look at a baby and estimate a bilirubin to a fraction! also, when i see a
baby and the mom says "the bilirubin was 15 on monday at the doctor's office"
that doesn't tell me much on wednesday. that is, i can't look at that same
baby and say, oh, that's what 15 looks like.
so i use this as a rough estimating tool. that is, if i see a baby and it has
been five days since the ped saw him, and the mother reports that five days
ago the doctor said not to worry, but today this baby looks like a pumpkin, i
can do a quick check and report to the doctor. i would never say i had made a
"definitive diagnosis" about jaundice this way, i don't suppose that is in
our purview. it is just to help me quantify what i see.
cheap, easy, non-electronic, doesn't need blood drawing, sometimes reassures
parents who might be overly concerned - its a great tool! i have a bag full
of stuff and try to not use any of it. but when you need something, it is
sure handy.
now before everybody wants to know where i got it, i bet there are various
places to get it.
and on another topic completely, those of you who don't know about cascade
healthcare products should get on their mailing list and check out their
website. they supply homebirth items and much, much more. want to know a
source besides amazon for that breastfeeding book you heard about? try them.
they have lots of great stuff. part of their business is called birth & life
bookstore, the other part is moonflower natural products. they sell lots of
things, including small medical devices you might find useful.
1cascade.com
1-503-371-4445
i don't work for them, although in a way i do, since i work and send them
some of the money!
carol brussel IBCLC
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