Non-Invasive Measurements of Anemia and Physiologic Tissue Response to Blood Transfusions in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Using Quantitative Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Near infrared optical spectroscopy measurements will be conducted on the muscle, on the upper leg,arm or on the back, abdomen and the head. The actual location will depend upon the neonate position and size. A small soft plastic optical fibers probe will be placed to the select study areas and thhe time of the measurement will not exceed 1 hour.

NIRS measurements of hemoglobin and hemoglobin saturation in tissues before and after red-cell transfusions in VLBW infants will determine the true effect of the transfusions, and develop more substantial guidelines regarding indications for transfusion. The accuracy of conventional (invasive) measurements of Hb and Hct could be comparison with results from the NIRS technique and clinical usefulness of the NIRS technique could be evaluated by comparison with trends in conventionally measured values taking fluid status into account.

Near-infrared light does not ionize biological tissue and poses no significant health risk. Since water absorption is low within this spectral range, local heating of the tissue is also minimal. Burns and heat damage to the neonate are highly unlikely.