Normal cerebral, renal and abdominal regional oxygen saturations using near-infrared spectroscopy in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to characterize baseline regional oxygen saturations (rSO(2)) in stable preterm infants during the first weeks of life.


METHODS
Cerebral, renal and abdominal rSO(2) were continuously monitored from the time of birth to 21 days in twelve preterm infants of 29-34 weeks gestation. Regional saturations were evaluated for trends over time, variability and differences between gestational ages (GAs) and reported pediatric values.


RESULTS
Both cerebral (66-83%) and renal (64-87%) rSO(2) baselines were within the range of reported neonatal values but consistently decreased over the first weeks of life (P<0.01). The baseline abdominal rSO(2) was 32-66% and increased with GA (P=0.05). The rSO(2) variability was lowest for cerebral measurements and highest at the abdomen. Abdominal rSO(2) variability decreased over time (P≤0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Daily baseline rSO(2) in preterm infants changes over the first weeks of life, especially at the abdomen. Evolution in baseline rSO2 over time may indicate regional developmental maturation of physiological oxygen balance.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN 37232–9544, USA.
S
S
McNeill
J C
JC
Gatenby
S
S
McElroy
B
B
Engelhardt
D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D036801:Parturition; D012016:Reference Values; D012079:Renal Circulation; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation
D006454:Hemoglobins; D010100:Oxygen