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Updated: May 5, 2026
Non-invasive Optical Measurement of Cerebral Metabolism and Hemodynamics in Infants
Published on: March 14, 2013
Cerebral Oxygen Monitoring in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants Using Time-Domain Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in
Hiroaki Suzuki1, Toshiyuki Imanishi2, Norihiro Suzuki3
1Central Research Laboratory, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K, Shizuoka, Japan. hiro-su@crl.hpk.co.jp.
Insights
Time-domain near-infrared spectroscopy (TD-NIRS) monitored extremely low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs). TD-NIRS detected optical signals and measured changes in hemoglobin and oxygen saturation, aiding brain monitoring for ELBWIs.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal intensive care
- Medical technology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Neonatal intensive care advances have increased survival for extremely low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs).
- However, long-term neurological sequelae remain a significant challenge for survivors.
- Improved methods for monitoring ELBWIs in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of time-domain near-infrared spectroscopy (TD-NIRS) for deep brain monitoring in ELBWIs.
- To assess the feasibility of using TD-NIRS in a clinical NICU setting.
- To identify potential correlations between TD-NIRS parameters and infant development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a TD-NIRS system in transmittance mode to measure the heads of three ELBWIs weekly.
- Collected optical signal data, including total hemoglobin concentration, tissue oxygen saturation, and reduced scattering coefficient.
- Analyzed data in relation to postmenstrual age and time after birth.
Main Results:
- Optical signals transmitted through the infant heads were successfully detected in all subjects.
- Total hemoglobin concentration and tissue oxygen saturation showed a decrease in the first month post-birth.
- The reduced scattering coefficient did not show a significant correlation with postmenstrual age.
Conclusions:
- TD-NIRS is a feasible technique for deep brain monitoring in ELBWIs within the NICU.
- Observed changes in hemoglobin and oxygen saturation suggest potential for tracking cerebral circulation.
- TD-NIRS may offer a valuable tool for clinical assessment and management of cerebral hemodynamics in premature infants.
Abstract:
Recent advances in neonatal intensive care have improved the survival rates of extremely low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs). However, there has been no obvious improvement in the proportion of survivors without sequelae. Therefore, the development of appropriate management methods for ELBWIs in the neonatal intensive care unit is important to improve outcomes. In this study, we utilised time-domain near-infrared spectroscopy (TD-NIRS) for deep brain monitoring in premature infants in the clinical setting and measured the heads of three ELBWIs once weekly using a TD-NIRS system in transmittance mode. We found that optical signals transmitted through the head were detectable in all ELBWIs. We also confirmed that the total haemoglobin concentration and tissue oxygen saturation decreased in the first month after birth, while the reduced scattering coefficient was not correlated with postmenstrual age. We anticipate that this TD-NIRS technique will be useful for clinical assessment of deep brain tissues for appropriate management of cerebral circulation of ELBWIs in the neonatal intensive care unit.
