Application of Lung Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) in Preterm Infants

Premature infants are more likely to develop hypoxemia after birth often requiring invasive and Non-Invasive Mechanical ventilation and surfactant therapy to improve alveolar gas exchange and oxygen transport. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used to detect pulmonary regional oxygen saturation (rpSO 2 ) as well as cerebral regional oxygen saturation (rcSO2 ) and evaluate the oxygenation state of the lung and brain. This is a prospective observational study to evaluate utility of rpSO2 and compare it with rcSO2 in preterm infants born between 23-32 weeks of gestation receiving noninvasive ventilation and surfactant treatment. Enrolled patients will be continuously studied with placement of NIRS monitor using cerebral sensor (INVOS™) for 6 hrs and 15 min before and after surfactant administration. Pulmonary regional oxygen saturation (rpSO2) with a sampling interval of 6 s will be followed for 6hrs.