There is an increasing incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) affecting the premature infant population, principally those with associated risk like extreme prematurity, extreme low birth weight, associated co-morbidities (Congenital heart disease, perinatal asphyxia) and those born in hospitals with limited resources for optimal neonatal care.

Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), has been used in premature infants to evaluate changes in cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. (1) It provides real time insight into the oxygen delivery.(3) In the premature patient population, many neurologic injuries occur as a result of prenatal (pre-existing) and/or postnatal disturbance on oxygen delivery. NIRS has been focused in cerebral monitoring. Light easily penetrates through neonatal bone and skin tissue, and allows to monitor the subjacent oxygen content. Early studies were performed to validate NIRS measurements and have established normative data.(4-6) The non-invasive method of monitoring cerebral hemodynamics and oxygenation has revolutionized the intensive care units in patients at risk for neurological injuries. This method has been successfully validated to monitor neonatal cerebral oxygenation in different clinical settings and study protocols. (7) NIRS provides non-invasive, continuous information on tissue perfusion and oxygen dynamics.

One of the biggest challenges of NEC spectrum diseases is in the making of early diagnosis. It is important to monitor not just cerebral perfusion but also the intestinal oxygenation.(8,9) Previous studies with NIRS have demonstrated that premature infants change their cerebral - splanchnic oxygenation ratios during feedings.(10) Guy et al. performed NIRS in premature piglets to demonstrate association of perfusion change with NEC spectrum(11,12); these studies suggest evidence that NIRS could be a useful diagnostic tool in the premature infant population trough abdominal NIRS (a-NIRS) measurement capable of detecting alterations in intestinal oxygenation and perfusion.

In summary, a-NIRS could be use in the premature infant population to define reference values, especially in patients at risk, which would then facilitate the early diagnosis of NEC spectrum diseases.

We will include, 10 premature infants from 32 to 36 weeks of post menstrual age, within the first week of life, that are clinically stable without diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Sepsis or having been transfused less than three days before the evaluation. Infants with abdominal injuries, omphalocele, gastroschisis and abdominal skin irritation that does not permit the application of the probes will also be excluded.

10 premature infants from 32 to 36 weeks of post menstrual age will be included, after their first week of life, clinically stable status, and without diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Sepsis or blood transfused less than three days before the moment of the evaluation. Infants with abdominal injuries, Omphalocele, Gastroschisis, skin irritation also will be excluded. NIRS device will record and monitor the Regional Oxygen Saturation (rSO2) in the infant during one week.

The evaluation will take place ar the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), 6th floor at the Mary Horrigan Connors Center for Women's Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital. (http://www.brighamandwomens.org/newbornmedicine)

We will use a Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device the INVOS 5100c (Covidien), catalogued under de Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) as 'non-significant risk device' (21 CFR 812.2) in order to perform monitoring as well as record-keeping with non-risk for the subject. No need Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance.

The application of the INVOS 5100c (Covidien) sensor optodes will be positioned in four locations (four channels), these will be in the lower abdomen, taking place bellow the umbilicus, with care, flush against the skin; in the submandibular region; upper left abdomen as well as in the thigh either left or right.

If the clinical status change during the monitoring, this could be discontinued under the criteria of the attending neonatologist in charge.

Once included, the sensors will be placed in the described areas and the team will reassure the quality of the lecture obtained. The rSO2 recordings will be continuously monitored for seven days, after this period of time, prospective observational following of patient data and outcomes will be implemented.

Clinical outcome data will be correlated with tissue oxygen saturation, other outcome variables will include length of NICU stay, morbidity, mortality, laboratory studies, oxygen saturation by standard pulse oximetry and continuous outcome variables will be analyzed using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) formula; mortality will be analyzed using Student's t-test. For the remaining variables (vital signs, lab values, oxygen saturation, morbidity, mortality), data will be extracted from clinical records and entered it into the electronic database.

The study staff, principal investigator, and co-investigators will identify potential subjects meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Potential subjects will be identified by talking to the attending in charge at the NICU. Cases will be identified by communicating with the NIRS/NICU research team at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Informed consent will be obtained from the parent(s) or guardian(s) under the Research involving no greater than minimal risk condition (46.404) where at least one of the parents must provide the permission.

In all cases we will approach the attending physician of prospective subjects to describe the study and obtain verbal consent to approach patients for recruitment; the attending physician or medical staff caring for the patient will be the first to make contact with the patients parents or guardian to describe the study briefly and ask permission for us to explain the study in more detail.

A review of the data will be conducted by a physician and a clinical review team. The principal investigator and study staff will be constantly monitoring and reviewing the rights, safety and welfare of all subjects in this trial through out the study.

In addition, the principal investigator will review any adverse events and report in accordance with the Partners Human Research Committees (PHRC) regulations.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Preterm infant (32 to 36 weeks of postmenstrual age)
• Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patient
• Stable clinical condition (i.e. Vital signs, Hemodynamics)
• Age less than 6 weeks of life

Exclusion Criteria:

• Congenital Heart Disease
• Necrotizing enterocolitis prior to inclusion
• Non stable clinical condition
• Blood transfused less than three days prior to inclusion
• Abdominal injuries (i.e. Omphalocele, Gastroschisis, Skin irritation) that impedes placement of the optodes

Preterm infants (Premature Infants) from 32 to 36 weeks of post menstrual age hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Brigham and Women's Hospital.