Monitoring of Systemic or Organ Perfusion for Preterm Infants

Observational Study on Monitoring of Systemic or Organ Blood Circulation and Perfusion for Preterm Infants

To investigate biomarker reflects systemic or specific organ perfusion well, we are going to the observational comparison study using several hemodynamic monitoring methods in the premature infants. It includes near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), pulse oximetry with perfusion index (PI) and pleth variability index (PVI) and functional echocardiography.

Hemodynamic observational comparisons will be performed in 6 episodes below on each patient.

1. first 24 hours after birth
2. during red blood cell (RBC) transfusion: from 4 hours before to 4 hours after the transfusion
3. suspicion of necrotizing enterocolitis: from the suspicion point for 48 hours
4. suspicion of sepsis: from the suspicion point for 48 hours
5. oligouria (< 1 mL/kg/hour of urine): for 48 hours
6. hypotension (mean blood pressure < 30 mmHg): for 48 hours

Inclusion Criteria:

• premature infants with 32 weeks or less of gestational age or 1,500 g or less of birth weight

Exclusion Criteria:

• infants without the consent of their guardians