Abstract
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive technique that utilizes light in
the near-infrared spectrum to assess regional tissue oxygenation. The initial application
of NIRS focused on measuring cerebral oxygenation. Recently, numerous studies focused
on the utility of NIRS in measuring abdominal regional perfusion in preterm and full-term
neonates—hepatic (right subcostal) and mesenteric (left lower quadrant/infra-umbilical
probe). Abdominal NIRS, specifically the infraumbilical values obtained within the
first week of life, is a useful tool for the evaluation of feeding intolerance and
an early marker of the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) as changes in
NIRS in the first 24 hours of abdominal symptoms helps define NEC severity. In addition,
NIRS holds promise in identifying changes in abdominal regional perfusion with blood
transfusion. The goal of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of factors
affecting abdominal NIRS measurements, specifically alterations associated with feeding,
blood transfusion, and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We present information from
the published clinical research in conjunction with information collected from an
extensive search in the databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus.
Key Points
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Abdominal NIRS is still an underutilized tool at the bedside in various clinical conditions.
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Compared with cerebral NIRS, splanchnic NIRS has more variability.
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Splanchnic NIRS can be used for clinical conditions such as feeding, blood transfusion,
and NEC.
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There is a need for standardized algorithms in infants based on their GA and clinical
diagnosis.
Keywords
preterm infant - NIRS - NEC - feeding - transfusion
