Q: How to plot these graphs A: Use this quick method each time: 1 Pick the correct chart - Phototherapy chart start lights? - Exchange transfusion chart escalation threshold? - Then choose: - No neurotoxicity risk factors - One or more neurotoxicity risk factors 2 Select gestational-age curve - Use the baby’s GA line 35, 36, 37, 38/39/40+ weeks depending on chart. 3 Compute age at blood draw x-axis - Exact postnatal age in hours not “day of life” rounded too much. - Mark that hour on x-axis. 4 Plot bilirubin y-axis - Use total serum bilirubin TSB in mg/dL. - Put a dot at age in hours, TSB. 5 Interpret relative to threshold line - Dot above line = meets threshold indicated for that intervention. - Dot below line = does not meet threshold yet. - Near line = repeat bilirubin and trend timing per protocol. For your sheet from your handwritten values: - TSB 18.17 mg/dL around 6 days 144 h. - On phototherapy chart with risk factors, threshold appears 18 at that age, so this was marked as “indicated for phototherapy.” - On exchange chart, threshold at same age is much higher mid-20s, so “not indicated for exchange transfusion” is correct. Common mistakes to avoid - Using indirect bilirubin instead of TSB for plotting. - Choosing wrong risk-factor panel. - Choosing wrong GA curve. - Using approximate age e.g., “6 days” when sample time is available in hours. If you want, I can give you a fill-in template Age, GA, risk factors, threshold, decision you can use bedside in 20 seconds per patient.
