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Published on: June 29, 2013
Effectiveness of the novel 3D PreemieScanner for preterm infants' growth monitoring confirmed in a simulated setting
Ronald H J van Gils1,2,3,4,5, Onno K Helder2,4, René F Kornelisse1
1Department of Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care, Division of Neonatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Insights
The PreemieScanner accurately measures body length, head circumference, and cranial volume in extremely low birth weight infants. This 3D device offers improved accuracy over traditional methods for enhanced clinical growth monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Medical Imaging
- Infant Growth Monitoring
Background:
- Traditional monitoring of preterm infant growth relies on body length (BL), head circumference (HC), and weight.
- 3D cranial volume (CrV) is a more precise indicator of brain growth than 2D HC.
- The PreemieScanner is a novel 3D device designed for simultaneous measurement of BL, HC, and CrV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical usability and accuracy of the PreemieScanner in a simulated neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting.
- To compare the PreemieScanner's measurements of BL, HC, and CrV against established clinical limits and traditional methods.
Main Methods:
- The study utilized three extremely low birth weight (ELBW) dolls with simulated breathing systems.
- Nurses performed scan sessions using the PreemieScanner, marking anatomical landmarks on 3D images.
- Head circumference (HC) was also measured manually using a standard tape measure for comparison.
Main Results:
- The PreemieScanner achieved 100% success for BL and HC measurements and 80% for CrV.
- HC measurements by PreemieScanner showed high accuracy and precision, comparable or superior to the traditional tape method.
- CrV measurements demonstrated 86-98% accuracy within clinical limits, indicating significant potential for growth charting.
Conclusions:
- The PreemieScanner is a reliable tool for comprehensive growth assessment in ELBW infants.
- It integrates seamlessly into NICU routines with minimal disruption.
- The device enhances clinical monitoring by providing accurate CrV data, facilitating the development of growth reference charts.
Introduction:
Preterm infants' growth is typically monitored through weight, body length (BL) and head circumference (HC). However, 3D cranial volume (CrV) is considered a more accurate indicator of brain growth than 2D HC. The PreemieScanner is a novel 3D measuring device that simultaneously measures BL, HC and CrV. Its clinical usability was tested in a simulated NICU setting.
Materials And Methods:
Three extremely low birth weight (ELBW; BW < 1,000 gram) dolls with Optiflow breathing systems, (tubes positioned either at the front or back of the head) were used. Nurses conducted scan sessions and marked anatomical landmarks on 3D PreemieScanner images. As control, nurses measured HC manually with a standard measuring tape. Key outcomes were: (1) Measurement success rate, (2) Precision-percentage within clinically allowed limits, ±0.4 cm for BL, ±0.3 cm for HC, ±12 ml for CrV, and 3) accuracy-mean or median measurement error (MME) relative to the ground truth.
Results:
Thirty-five scan sessions resulted in 100% successful measurements for BL and HC; 80% for CrV. BL MME -3.3% (p < 0.001); 40% (42/105) within precision limits. HC MME (Optiflow-front) 0.0% (p = 0.63); 89% (51/57) within limits. HC MME (Optiflow-back) -0.4% (p = 0.91). 93% (43/46) within limits. MME HC measuring tape, (Optiflow-front) -0.8% (p < 0.001), 88% (50/57) within limits, and MME (Optiflow-back) -1.1% (p < 0.001), 83% (40/48) within limits. MME CrV (Optiflow-front) -1.8% (p = 0.01), 86% (31/36) within limits, MME CrV (Optiflow-back) -1.3% (p < 0.001), 98% (45/46) within limits.
Conclusions:
The PreemieScanner is a reliable, comprehensive device for measuring BL, HC and CrV in ELBW infants. It integrates smoothly into routine care with minimal disturbance. HC measurements demonstrated higher accuracy and precision than traditional tape method. CrV measurements, with 93% within precision limits, can be regarded as acceptable, enabling development of CrV growth reference charts, enhancing clinical growth monitoring.
