The role of near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring in preterm infants

J Perinatol. 2017 Oct;37(10):1070-1077. doi: 10.1038/jp.2017.60. Epub 2017 May 4.

Abstract

Neurological morbidities such as peri/intraventricular hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia largely determine the neurodevelopmental outcome of vulnerable preterm infants and our aim should be to minimize their occurrence or severity. Bed-side neuromonitoring could provide valuable pieces of information about possible hemodynamic disturbances that are significantly associated with neurological morbidities and increased mortality. Near-infrared spectroscopy offers evaluation of regional cerebral oxygenation, which in conjunction with other non-invasive methods may give us a more complete picture about end-organ perfusion. This monitoring tool could help us fully understand the pathophysiology of severe neurological morbidities and guide our management in order to reduce their incidence.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cerebral Ventricles / blood supply
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Hemodynamic Monitoring
  • Humans
  • Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature*
  • Intensive Care, Neonatal / methods
  • Leukomalacia, Periventricular / diagnostic imaging*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / methods*