PRELIMINARY-REPORT - CHANGES IN VITAL SIGNS OF TERM NEWBORNS DURING MR

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of the-MR environment on vital sign s of term neonates. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed physiological monitoring data obtained from seven term infants (20 to 22 days old) undergoing a clinically indicated MR examination. They were monitored for heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation while sedated an d physically quiet. Six control infants were monitored while sedated a nd resting in the magnet. RESULTS: All of the test infants exhibited s ubstantial changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and/or oxygen satura tion during the MR examination. No such changes were observed in the c ontrol infants. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that und ergoing an MR examination may alter the vital signs of term newborn in fants.