Please see Bibliography of References for a list of abstracts, manuscripts and posters.
Patel AK, Olutoye O, Burrin D, Brandt ML. American Pediatric Society/Society for Pediatric Research Annual Meeting; May 2-5, 2009; Baltimore, MD. E-PAS2009:4350.356.
Background: Factors that contribute to the development of NEC include hypoperfusion or decreased oxygenation of splanchnic tissue. Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) will be used to assess gut oxygenation non-invasively. Typically NIRS is primarily used for cerebral hemodynamic monitoring, we intend to apply it to the abdomen to monitor gut oxygenation. The objective of this study is to determine normal values for gut oxygenation in preterm infant and to determine if low gut oxygenation predicts the subsequent development of NEC. We hypothesize that NIRS may be able to predict NEC in high risk preterm infants.
Design/Methods: We are conducting a pilot prospective cohort study on preterm infants at risk for NEC. Inclusion Criteria: healthy preterm infants <32 weeks gestational age and <1500 grams birth weight. Infants enrolled within first 24 hours of life. Exclusion Criteria: Infants with congenital anomalies or terminally ill. After informed was consent obtained gut oxygenation was recorded for 5 minutes daily for the first 7 postnatal days then weekly for 4 weeks using InSpectra StO2 NIRS (Hutchinson Technology). NIRS probe was placed on right lower abdominal quadrant. Enterally fed infants have 5 minute recordings taken before, during, and 60 minutes after feeds.
Results: We have studied 83 infants (Avg BW 1060 grams and GA 28.5 wks); of whom 13 have developed medical (8), surgical NEC (1), or died (4). Mean (±SEM) StO2 values on day of life 1 was lower in NEC vs. non-NEC patients (60.7% ± 13.2 vs 72.8% ± 2.8; P=0.075). StO2 values associated with enteral feedings (before, during, and after feeding) have not shown a difference between the two groups.