Neonatal intensive care applications of near-infrared spectroscopy

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive technique for assessing cerebral hemodynamic variables and oxidative status in the neonatal intensi ve care setting. It can be performed for extended periods of time at the be dside without interfering with routine patient care. NIRS appears to have t he ability to not only assess relative changes in oxygenated and deoxygenat ed hemoglobin, total hemoglobin, and cytochrome aa3, but it can also produc e estimates of cerebral blood volume and cerebral blood flow. Research data document significant changes in these hemodynamic variables with patient a ctivity and clinical interventions in both premature and term infants. NIRS may evolve into an important diagnostic and prognostic tool for neonatal n eurologic outcome.