Cerebral tissue oxygenation index in very premature infants.
OBJECTIVE
To describe normal values of the cerebral tissue oxygenation index (TOI) in premature infants.


METHODS
TOI was measured by spatially resolved spectroscopy in preterm infants on the first 3 days of life. Infants with an abnormal cranial ultrasound were excluded. Other simultaneously measured variables were PaO(2), PaCO(2), pH, mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, haemoglobin, glycaemia, and peripheral oxygen saturation.


RESULTS
Fifteen patients with a median postmenstrual age of 28 weeks were measured. There was a significant increase in median TOI over the first 3 days of life: 57% on day 1, 66.1% on day 2, and 76.1% on day 3. Multiple regression analysis showed no correlation between TOI and postmenstrual age, peripheral oxygen saturation, mean arterial blood pressure, PaO(2), PaCO(2), and haemoglobin concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
Cerebral TOI increases significantly in the first 3 days of life in premature babies. This increase probably reflects the increase in cerebral blood flow at this time.
Naulaers
G
G
Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Leuven, Belgium. gunnar.naulaers@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Morren
G
G
Van Huffel
S
S
Casaer
P
P
Devlieger
H
H
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D010313:Partial Pressure; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared
D006454:Hemoglobins; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin; D010100:Oxygen