Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Telemedicine for genetic and neurologic evaluation in the neonatal intensive care unit
T L Wenger1, J Gerdes2, K Taub3
11] Division of Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA [2] Section of Clinical Informatics, Division of General Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Objective:
Evaluate whether telemedicine can be used to perform dysmorphology and neurologic examinations in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by determining the examination accuracy, limitations and optimized procedures.
Study Design:
Prospective evaluation of NICU patients referred for subspecialty consultation for dysmorphic features (n=10) or encephalopathy (n=10). A physician at bedside (bedside clinician) performed an in-person examination that was viewed in real time by a remote physician (remote consultant). Standardized examinations were recorded and compared. Subsequently, a qualitative approach established technique adjustments and optimization procedures necessary to improve visualization.
Result:
Telemedicine examinations identified 81 of 87 (93%) dysmorphology examination abnormalities and 37 of 39 (92%) neurologic examination abnormalities. Optimization of remote consultant visualization required an active bedside clinician assisting in camera and patient adjustments.
Conclusion:
Telemedicine can be used to perform accurately many components of the dysmorphology or neurologic examinations in NICU patients, but physicians must be mindful of specific limitations.
